Sensible Factors that Need Strategic Change to Improve the Medical Drug Availability across Healthcare Institutions in Sri Lanka

Access to medicines remains a major obstacle for people across the world to maintain their health at a desired level. Ensuring an adequate supply of safe and effective drugs of acceptable quality is an integral part of the health policy of Sri Lanka. The medical supplies division is the sole organization responsible for providing all pharmaceuticals, surgical items, laboratory items, radioactive items, and printed materials for government sector healthcare institutions. The establishment of an independent drug regulation authority, the Declaration of a national essential drug list, the establishment of a separate drug procurement entity, Pooled procurement, digitalization of drug management, and expansion of drug storage capacity are key strategies that have been implemented by the Ministry of Health to minimize the drug shortages across the healthcare institutions of Sri Lanka.  Despite the implemented strategies drug shortage continue to evolve from time to time as a public outcry in the media. This case study describes the critical issues that need to look at more strategically to improve drug availability.