Sri Lanka, July 26 -- The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has suspended the licences of 219 pharmacies in the country as of July 18, 2025.

This is due to the fact that registered pharmacists with the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) not working in those pharmacies and also the guidelines on community pharmacies have not been followed properly, Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa told Parliament yesterday.

He said the NMRA has received 2,039 applications for renewal of licences for 2024-2025, and only 1,820 pharmacies have been renewed. Of the applications submitted, 89.2% were granted licences.

Responding to question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Minister said that the licences of 137...