The Health Ministry has admitted it approved price raises for 42 medications produced by stumbling public sector firms, revealing that other productions by government and private providers will also be increased to offset financial losses.
Tarek Salman, Assistant Health Minister for Pharmaceutics, revealed that over the past two months, the ministry approved a LE1-LE2 increase to 42 drugs.
He stressed that the ministry does not greenlight the raises haphazardly, noting that it takes market needs, the significance of targeted medicines and the availability of alternatives before approving any increase.
Salman revealed that the US-made hepatitis drug, Sovaldi, could be available in the market in April or May, noting that 14 companies have already applied and accepted for its production. He added that the drug will sell for LE2440 for individuals.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
