The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has announced that unregistered pharmacies have been given until the end of this month to submit their applications for registration through the authority’s official website.
The NMRA warned that legal action will be taken to close down any pharmacies that fail to comply within the given timeframe.
NMRA Chairman Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama stated that a pharmacy can only be registered if it employs a qualified pharmacist with the required professional credentials.
“We register pharmacies only when there is a certified pharmacist in service. Every registered pharmacy must have one,” he said.
However, he noted that several pharmacies are still operating without registration and that the NMRA has extended an opportunity for them to apply through the website before the deadline.
“They can submit their applications until the end of this month. If they fail to do so, we will be compelled to take legal action to close unregistered pharmacies,” Dr. Wijewickrama added.
The move follows allegations by the Government Pharmacists’ Association that unqualified individuals are dispensing medicines—including antibiotics—at private pharmacies across the country.
At a recent press briefing, the association’s president, Ajith Thilakaratne, said that some pharmacies were issuing medicines without prescriptions, in clear violation of health regulations.
He therefore urged the NMRA to strictly verify the qualifications of pharmacy staff to ensure patient safety and compliance with the law.
