SPMC chairman A Hemachandra made the forecast during an interview with Daily News Business late last week, explaining that the government run drugmaker has more than doubled production capacity since 2006.
He added that the expansion programme will continue and that the SPMC expects a new tablet press it is installing at its facility in Ratmalana will be fully operational be April.
Despite these efforts, Hemachandra still expects demand to outstrip supply, explaining that while the SPMC hopes to increase is roster of drugs from 20 to 26 this year, “the country needs 320 essential drugs and all cannot be manufactured here.”