Despite a string of ongoing challenges in the health sector, Sri Lanka continues to face a shortage of 217 drugs, according to an official.

Speaking to Daily Mirror, Dr. Saman Rathnayake, Health Ministry Additional Secretary, stated that although the shortage has slightly improved, the Ministry still needs to address the remaining gap and reduce the shortage to below 100 in the coming months.

However, Dr. Rathnayake reassured that there is no shortage of essential drugs, including 14 lifesaving drugs. Out of the approximately 1,300 drugs currently in use, 383 are considered essential.

“Efforts are underway to procure the drugs in shortage as soon as possible,” he added.