The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has reaffirmed and strengthened existing rules requiring the full-time presence of qualified pharmacists at all registered pharmacies across Sri Lanka, in a bid to curb illegal practices and improve public safety in medication dispensing.
Under the NMRA Act No. 5 of 2015, pharmacies must employ at least one licensed pharmacist responsible for all operations relating to medicines, medical devices and borderline products. The law mandates that only pharmacists or registered apprentice pharmacists under their direct supervision may dispense medications, and that customers must be informed about the cost and proper use of all products sold.
The move aims to discourage the widespread distribution of over-the-counter and prescription drugs without professional oversight, a practice critics say has turned many pharmacies into profit-driven businesses rather than healthcare service providers. Government pharmacy representatives argue that enforcing the full-time presence of pharmacists will reduce improper sales of antibiotics, sex hormones and antidepressants without proper consultation.
However, key stakeholders in the private sector have raised concerns about the implementation of the regulation, citing a shortage of qualified pharmacists in the country. Private pharmacy owners warned that many shops may be forced to close if the requirement is enforced immediately, as Sri Lanka currently faces a significant gap between demand and the number of practicing pharmacists. They have urged authorities to expand educational pathways and increase incentives to attract more professionals into community pharmacy roles.
The NMRA has stressed that the requirement for pharmacist presence is not a new rule but a long-standing legal obligation that must be upheld to protect public health. Officials have emphasized that no pharmacy license will be issued or renewed without fulfilling this condition.
The strengthened enforcement of these regulations reflects broader efforts to improve standards in the pharmaceutical sector and protect patients from unsafe or inappropriate medicine use, aligning with ongoing public health and regulatory integrity priorities.
