Cabinet reached solution to medicine shortage crisis: PM

Egypt’s Prime Minister Sherif Ismail said on Sunday that the government has “reached a solution” that works towards ending an ongoing medicine shortage in the country, without providing further details, state news agency MENA reported.

Ismail said that the solution is in coordination with pharmaceutical companies and members of parliament, adding that the government prioritises ensuring the availability of medications at reasonable prices.

Egypt has been facing difficulties in importing medicine as well as raw materials used in the local manufacturing of pharmaceutical products.

The Central Bank of Egypt floated the local currency in early November, which slashed its value by half against the dollar.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers have said that the retail price of medicines needs to be raised so as not to incur losses.

Source: Ahram Online