Sri Lankan drug manufacturer Gamma Interpharm Ltd has begun exporting locally made pharmaceuticals to Cambodia, in what the company describes as a first for a wholly Sri Lankan pharmaceutical manufacturer.
The first consignment was launched on August 14 at the company’s manufacturing facility in the presence of stakeholders and employees, Gamma Interpharm said.
The company traces its manufacturing history over six decades, including past associations with Warner Lambert Inc. and Pfizer Inc. of the United States. It said its facility operates in compliance with World Health Organization guidelines and holds approval from Sri Lanka’s National Medicines Regulatory Authority.
Vietnam and the Philippines next
Gamma Interpharm said the Cambodian entry forms part of a broader strategy to establish Sri Lankan-manufactured pharmaceutical products in overseas markets, and that preparations are under way to introduce its products to Vietnam and the Philippines.
The company attributed the milestone to the leadership of Chairman Kalana Hewamallika. Also named in the announcement were Deputy General Manager for Marketing and International Trade Vidhira Gunasekara, General Manager for Marketing Niseni Hewamallika, Director of Operations Sugi Sivayogarajan and export executive Posonya Rithmanthi.
The announcement did not disclose the value or volume of the Cambodian consignment, the products involved, or the Cambodian counterparty.
Context
The move fits a wider push to grow pharmaceutical exports as a source of foreign exchange. Sri Lanka’s drug manufacturers have been targeting overseas markets with regulatory backing from the Export Development Board and the NMRA, while the domestic market has faced recurring medicine shortages and price pressure.
The details above come from the company’s own announcement, carried by Hiru News. Daily FT published the same announcement, but its article page returned no extractable publication date and it is therefore not cited here as a dated source.
