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Drug shortages hit Egypt, patients resort to black market

The shortage comes after the Health Ministry and pharmaceutical companies to raise drug prices by up to 20%.
28.09.17 | Source: Egypt Independent

Patients and their relatives have complained of drug shortages again after last year’s crisis which ended in January with an agreement between the Health Ministry and pharmaceutical companies to raise drug prices by up to 20%.

Health Minister Ahmed Emad said in January after the agreement that the increase in the prices is in the interest of patients because it eliminates the shortage of drugs and prevents them being on the black market.

But it’s now the same old days. People say that they purchase their medicine from the black market at prices reaching five times the price set by the ministry, especially medicines for chronic diseases and cancer.

Aliaa was searching for a penicillin injection for her 10-year-old, and when she failed to find it in pharmacies at its official price of LE6, she bought it from the black market at LE50.

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