The Sri Lankan government plans to produce 50 percent of the country’s requirement of pharmaceuticals locally within the next three years, the President’s Media Division said.

The aim is to provide quality drugs to the foreign market and to the public at affordable prices. All products will be made in accordance with the recommendations and standards of the World Health Organization.

Currently, 85 percent of the country’s drug requirement is imported at an annual cost of 130 billion rupees. Meeting the country’s requirement of pharmaceuticals locally will save the country 60 billion rupees annually. President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa says he is confident of achieving these goals.

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