Sri Lanka's Cabinet has fast-tracked implementation of the National Medicinal Drug Policy 2026-2030, designed to enhance access to affordable medicines while bolstering domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing and supply chain resilience.

The Cabinet of Ministers has endorsed the swift rollout of the National Medicinal Drug Policy 2026-2030, which aims to strengthen the country's pharmaceutical sector while ensuring public access to safe, affordable medicines that meet international quality standards.

According to Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, the new policy replaces the 2005 National Pharmaceutical Policy, which had remained largely unchanged for two decades. While update attempts were initiated between 2020 and 2025, those efforts did not reach completion. The Cabinet spokesperson noted that the revised framework incorporates lessons from the previous policy's implementation, alongside consideration of shifting healthcare demands, global market dynamics, and vulnerabilities exposed in medicine supply chains during recent years.

The policy concentrates on three main objectives: guaranteeing sustainable and equitable access to quality medicines at reasonable costs; encouraging healthcare providers and patients to adopt scientifically proven and cost-efficient treatments to improve health outcomes and reduce unnecessary spending; and reinforcing local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity with emphasis on producing essential medications with verified safety and effectiveness credentials.

Dr. Jayatissa stated that the policy aligns with the government's overarching health goal of providing all Sri Lankans with access to essential medicines at affordable rates, while simultaneously developing a more robust and efficient pharmaceutical industry capable of withstanding supply disruptions.