The Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), has launched a programme aimed at increasing exports of locally manufactured pharmaceutical and related healthcare products from Sri Lanka.
Chairman of the Export Development Board Mangala Wijesinghe stated that the initiative is being implemented under the framework of the Sri Lanka National Export Development Plan (NEDP).
According to Wijesinghe, Sri Lanka currently generates less than US$6 million annually from pharmaceutical exports, highlighting the significant potential for growth in the sector.
He pointed out that one of the major challenges facing local pharmaceutical manufacturers has been obtaining internationally recognized quality certifications required to access foreign markets.
As part of efforts to address this issue, discussions have recently been held with National Medicines Regulatory Authority Chairman Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama on mechanisms to facilitate certification processes and strengthen quality assurance standards.
Wijesinghe revealed that authorities have set an ambitious target of increasing pharmaceutical export earnings to US$100 million in the coming years.
Officials say the programme aims to strengthen Sri Lanka’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, improve competitiveness in international markets, and diversify the country’s export portfolio through higher-value products.
