The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to expand the storage capacity of the Medical Supply Division under the Ministry of Health and Mass Media.
The division, which is responsible for procuring, storing, and distributing medicines and medical supplies to health institutions, currently has storage facilities sufficient for only 22 to 30 days of stock based on annual consumption.
To reduce the risk of medicine shortages, the government plans to maintain supplies for over six months and keep a three-month buffer stock. To achieve this, the Cabinet approved a joint proposal by the Health and Mass Media Minister and the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development to transfer three warehouse buildings in Veyangoda, covering a total area of 30,000 square feet, along with the relevant land and two cold storage units, from the Department of Food Commission to the Health Ministry.
Officials say the expansion will significantly strengthen the Medical Supply Division’s ability to ensure uninterrupted access to essential medicines throughout the country.
