The Ministry of Health has signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme to secure essential medicines through international procurement channels, addressing gaps in Sri Lanka's current supply system.
Sri Lanka's health ministry has entered into a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme aimed at expanding access to pharmaceuticals that are challenging to obtain through existing national procurement channels. The Memorandum of Understanding was formalized at the Ministry of Finance, with signatures from Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, Ministry Secretary Anil Jasinghe, UNDP Resident Representative Azusa Kubota, and Finance Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma.
The initiative specifically targets medicines with limited availability in global markets, restricted suppliers, or specialized production requirements. Through this arrangement, Sri Lanka will leverage UNDP's established international networks of pre-qualified suppliers to source these pharmaceuticals. All procured medicines will undergo quality assurance protocols and regulatory oversight conducted by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority.
Officals highlighted that bulk purchasing through UNDP's global channels is expected to deliver competitive pricing advantages while improving supply chain efficiency. This approach aligns with World Health Organization recommendations and aims to strengthen the availability of WHO-endorsed medications across the country. The partnership intends to reinforce Sri Lanka's free healthcare system by ensuring reliable access to quality essential medicines at reasonable costs.
The UNDP brings extensive international experience in government procurement, supply chain optimization, and institutional development. The collaboration is positioned as a mechanism to enhance the resilience and operational efficiency of Sri Lanka's health service delivery infrastructure.