Health Minister Adel al-Adawy has revealed that some medication produced by the Holding Company for Pharmaceuticals will increase in price, simultaneously denying any intention to change the cost of drugs produced by the private sector.
Medications sold under LE5, which have not increased over the past 20 years and are sold at prices lower than production costs, will be increased. This will ensure that the companies producing the drugs can recoup their losses and keep their production lines working, the minister told Al-Masry Al-Youm.
Adawy clarified that the ministry has not decided to increase the price of any medicine produced by private sector companies, adding that the ministry is working on developing hospitals in the downtown and al-Darb al-Ahmar areas.
Regarding the reduction in price of the locally-produced Sovaldi, which is used to treat the hepatitis C virus, Adawy said, “The medicine is currently sold in pharmacies at LE2,400, down from LE2,670. Liver centers affiliated to the ministry buy it for LE1,440. We received offers from some companies that produce it at a 50 percent discount for the ministry.”
He added that the ministry will conduct a tender to get the best offer. He also indicated negotiations to reduce the price of medicine at pharmacies.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
