Licences of 219 Pharmacies Suspended by NMRA Over Regulatory Violations | Sri Lankan Post News

Colombo, July 25 (Daily Mirror) — The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has suspended the licences of 219 pharmacies across the country as of July 18, 2025, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa informed Parliament today.

The Minister revealed that the NMRA had received 2,039 applications for licence renewal for the 2024–2025 period, of which only 1,820 were approved.

Responding to a query from Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Dr. Jayatissa stated that 137 of the suspended pharmacies were operating without the services of a permanent pharmacist. Their licences have been temporarily suspended until qualified, full-time pharmacists are appointed.

Additionally, the Minister said that the renewal applications of 82 pharmacies were rejected outright due to non-compliance with established community pharmacy practice guidelines.

Dr. Jayatissa emphasized that the regulatory crackdown is part of a broader effort to ensure public safety and maintain standards in pharmaceutical dispensing across Sri Lanka.