Rs.13 billion overdue to medicine importers -Health Ministry

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Health said Rs.13 billion of outstanding bills need to be settled with medicine importers.

A senior official of the Health Ministry said funds have been requested from the Treasury to settle the bills, and the Treasury agreed to release the funds in stages.

He added that some drug importers are reluctant to import drugs due to non-payment of outstanding bills.

However, the shortage of essential medicines in Sri Lanka has reduced to 161.

The Ministry of Health said orders were placed for the medicine and the stocks are due to arrive in Sri Lanka over the next few weeks, under several phases.