This marks a milestone in the local pharmaceutical industry, as these high-in-demand medicines are now more affordable and accessible to our people, the supply of which does not have to depend on imports.
For the first time in Sri Lanka, Bisoprolol 5 mg tablets are now being manufactured locally by Morison and supplied to the Medical Supplies Division for the use in government hospitals.
Used as a treatment for high blood pressure and other cardiovascular conditions, the annual requirement of Bisoprolol in the government sector is around 40 million tablets, which was being imported to date.
By producing the same locally, Morison is able to make a significant forex saving for the national economy during these unprecedented times.
Plans are underway to make Bisoprolol B.P. 2.5mg and 5 mg available in all leading pharmacies as a branded medication in due course, to enable purchasing through a valid prescription.
The second new product launched, Ros-10 (Rosuvastatin tablets I.P. 10mg 30s blister) is used to treat high blood cholesterol, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Morison launched Ros-10 at approximately half of the current weighted average market price, offering significant savings to Sri Lankans.
The third latest addition to the Morison portfolio, ChlorMor (Chlorphenamine tablets B.P. 4mg 100s blister) is an oral antihistamine that helps to relieve symptoms of allergies.
This too was launched at a price less than the prevailing similar products in the market.
Dinesh Athapaththu, Managing Director of Morison Limited, commented on the commencement of production of these pharmaceuticals saying,
“This indeed is a key milestone for Morison as well as the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in the country.
Our purpose is to “Make Premium Healthcare Affordable”, and this is what we aim at achieving as we supply to the local demand for a lesser price, while maintaining the highest standards of quality.
We commenced operations of our latest state-of-the-art manufacturing and research facility in Homagama in May this year, which is the largest investment to date in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in Sri Lanka.
This will be a great boost for the pharmaceutical supply of the country during this crucial hour.
As a subsidiary of the Hemas Group, Morison continues to receive the best of technology and knowledge investment in our journey.”
Being the first and largest general oral solid dosage (OSD) and oral liquid dosage (OLD) manufacturing facility in compliance with WHO GMP and EU GMP infrastructure and quality management systems in Sri Lanka, the Morison’s second manufacturing facility in Homagama, has the inbuilt capacity to produce 5 Bn tablets and 2 Mn litres of liquids per annum, which is equivalent to 40% of the national annual general OSD demand in Sri Lanka.
Prior to introducing Ros-10, Bisoprolol and ChlorMor, Morison launched the first ever locally manufactured SGLT2 molecule (Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2), Empagliflozin tablets 10mg and 25mg in 2021.
An oral medication to treat Type 2 Diabetes, this was launched at approximately 50% price advantage from the market.
The launch of the three new products is yet another progressive step of Morison, towards being a beacon of hope to Sri Lankans by “Making Premium Healthcare Affordable” in this critical juncture.