SPMC earns record Rs.1.1 billion in 2020

The State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC) has generated Rs 1.1 billion in revenue in 2020 and this is the highest revenue ever recorded by the Corporation, Acting Minister of Health and State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana said.

The Minister made this observation at the launching ceremony of the fourth drug locally produced under the “New Drugs for a New Country” programme of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Accordingly, locally-produced Nimodipine 300 mg was released to the local market on Monday.

According to the Minister, Nimodipine is used to decrease problems caused by a certain type of bleeding in the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage-SAH). Nimodipine is called a calcium channel blocker. The body naturally responds to bleeding by narrowing the blood vessel to slow the blood flow.

“Nearly 1.5 million Nimodipine 300 pills are required a year for use in the country and the drug was imported for Rs. 132 a pill in 2019. However, the SPC is able to manufacture the drug for Rs. 57 per pill, resulting in saving of Rs. 5 million for the Medical Supplies Division of the Ministry of Health.” he said.

Prof. Jayasumana further said that this is the fourth drug produced under this programme. Gabapentin 300 mg, Clopidogrel 75 mg and Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate 200 mg have been previously released to the market.

SPMC Chairman Dr Uthpala Indrawansa also participated in this occasion.

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