Medical Devices Regulatory Services
in Sri Lanka

Overview

With growing population and increased focus on healthcare, the demand for Medical Devices is consistently growing in Sri Lanka. National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) is responsible for regulating Medical Devices in the country. It functions under the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health (MoH).

Regulatory Authority: National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA)

Regulation: National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) Act, No. 5 of 2015

Regulatory Pathway: Registration + Import License

Authorized Representative: Marketing Authorization Holder Required

QMS Requirement: ISO 13485:2016

Assessment of Technical Data: Medical Devices Regulatory (MDR) Division

Validity of License: 5 Years

Labeling Requirements: Section 77 of NMRA Act, No. 5 of 2015

Submission Format: Paper

Language: English, Sinhala & Tamil

Sri Lanka Medical Device Classification

There is no formal classification for the Medical Devices in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Authorized Representative

All the foreign manufacturers without a legal entity or physical presence in Sri Lanka are mandated to have Medical Device Authorized Representative (MAR) to market the devices in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Medical Device Registration

The device registration and import into Sri Lanka is a three-step process:

• Obtain Sample Import License
• Device Registration and Approval by the NMRA
• Import License

Sample Import License: The process demands the need to operate the device under sample license after which the manufacturer must again approach the NMRA for final approval, which again involves procuring multiple certifications.

Device Registration: The application for device approval along with a copy of sample Import License and samples for testing have to be submitted to the NMRA. The agency also requires sample labels and Instructions for Use (IFU) in two locally recognized languages along with English and must be contextually aligned with original label which pose translation challenges.

The NMRA issues final approval after evaluation of application and testing of samples.

Import License: The applicant shall apply and obtain an import license for importing commercial consignments of the devices for marketing in Sri Lanka. Such application to the NMRA shall include the device approval certificate issued by the NMRA, as discussed in the previous step.

Process flow

Post Approval Device Life Cycle Management

• Post approval change management - modifications to existing Medical Device approvals such as, addition of new variants, accessories; addition of new indications of use among others
• Maintenance of approvals and registration through timely payment of administrative and registration fees
• Renewal of licenses
• Liaising between the NMRA and the manufacturer
• Importation Management

Freyr provides stepwise guidance with minute tracking of Regulatory process to get the Medical Device market-entry approval in Sri Lanka. For linguistic support, Freyr’s professional experts look over translation errors and corrections. With expertise in end-to-end market authorization process, Freyr provides Regulatory services for successful approval of devices.

Summary