Tocilizumab can play a key role in decreasing mortality and reducing the need for invasive mechanical ventilation among severely ill COVID-19 patients. The rumour on the shortage of Tocilizumab first started when the Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa raised concerns over the same in parliament, on 17th August 2021: https://tinyurl.com/ymc4ff8m. Roche, the manufacturer of tocilizumab had issued a statement on 16th August 2021, saying that there will be shortages of the same globally over the weeks and months ahead: https://tinyurl.com/456my4a2. On 18th August 2021, the WHO issued a statement calling on the company to ensure equitable allocation of current stocks of this medicine for all countries, including low- and middle-income countries: https://tinyurl.com/t5dyswsk. On 21st August, Sri Lankan media reported a shortage. State Ministry of Production, Supply, and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Secretary Dr. R. M. S. K. Ratnayake had stated that up until now there was very little demand for tocilizumab as it's not specifically made for COVID-19 and therefore, the quantities purchased were at a very low level. He had further stated that he has already allocated 10 vials to private hospitals while there was a certain stock available in government hospitals. However, he had requested the media to not reveal the number of available vials with the government hospitals, as he was worried that he might be overloaded with requests from private hospitals. He had stated that they have already opened an emergency tender for 1,000 vials that would arrive in the country in early September. The Medical Supplies Division (MSD) of the Ministry of Health had noted that they were expecting an order already made by them in April through the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) for purchasing 6,000 tocilizumab vials. MSD Deputy Director General Dr. D. R. K. Herath had said that stocks were not available with the MSD until the ordered vials arrived. A. Baur & Co. (Pvt.) Ltd., the sole importer of tocilizumab to Sri Lanka, had confirmed that the drug is now out of stock and new stocks are expected only in September. They have also confirmed that the price of the previously imported 400 mg/20 ml vial was LKR 113,000, but had not confirmed the price of the stocks to arrive in September. Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/8kkmpzc7.