He said the gazette was formulated by a special committee in consultation of all stakeholders of the industry. He also added that with the new price control, the 'drug mafia' of Sri Lanka will not be able to exploit patients by pricing essential drugs at unreasonable rates. 

The Spokesman also said that the price control mechanism will be monitored by the Ministry of Internal Trade and Cooperatives with the support of the Ministry of Health.

The new price control comes a day after the draft drug policy was handed over to President Mahinda Rajapaksa by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena. The drug policy is to be presented to the Cabinet next week. 

Sri Lanka Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI), the representative body of pharmaceutical companies operating in Sri Lanka, is yet to issue a statement in this regard.