NMRA to revise prices of 60 medicines via new Gazette

The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) expects to issue a Gazette this week, revising the ceiling prices of 60 medicines, a move that could see the prices of some drugs increase, whilst others become cheaper.

The revision became necessary due to changes in the value of the Rupee, which affected the cost of imported medicines, National Medicines Regulatory Authority Chairperson Dr Ananda Wijewickrama stated.

When the value of the Rupee changes, the prices of imported products also change, as the majority of the medicines used are imported and their prices are directly affected by exchange rate fluctuations, Dr Ananda Wijewickrama noted.

Discussions took place with the subject Minister regarding the matter, and instructions were given to prepare the relevant Gazette notification to revise the existing ceiling prices, Dr Ananda Wijewickrama said. The revisions will apply to the 60 medicines currently subject to ceiling price controls, including medicines used to treat non-communicable diseases.

The NMRA determines medicine prices using a published formula based on the cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value of imported medicines, to which an approved mark-up is added, Dr Ananda Wijewickrama explained. The pricing formula was implemented gradually since June 2025 and revealed a significant difference in mark-ups applied by some of the country’s suppliers.

For a medicine imported at a CIF value of 100 rupees, a mark-up of around 65 per cent is generally allowed, but some medicines were sold with mark-ups of nearly 200%, Dr Ananda Wijewickrama revealed.

Medicines that carried excessively high mark-ups could see price reductions under the revised pricing mechanism, whilst the prices of some medicines previously sold with lower mark-ups may increase, Dr Ananda Wijewickrama said. The revised pricing framework is intended to ensure a more uniform and transparent pricing structure for medicines available in the local market.