Srilanka, Jan. 11 -- Pharmacists across the country have welcomed the Government's decision to enforce regulations recognising pharmacies as healthcare establishments, including refusing to renew 2026 licences for outlets operating without a qualified pharmacist.

Lanka Pharmaceutical Traders' Society (LPTS) Chairman and pharmacist Kapila De Soyza said the move had helped restore pharmacies' professional status.

"Political influence under previous administrations had allowed pharmacies to mushroom across the country, reducing them to little more than ordinary retail outlets," he said.

De Soyza also welcomed steps by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) to raise standards under existing regulations, adding that a licensed p...