Sameh Nabil, a member of the Pharmacists’ Division, said that pharmaceutical companies are pressuring the Medicines Authority to agree to new increases in drug prices.

Nabil expected that drug prices would witness new increases in the coming period, pointing out that the Medicines Authority approved raising drug prices for companies. He also pointed out that there are medicines whose prices have already unjustifiably increased, such as nerve, heart and artery medicines and nutritional supplements and vitamins.

The government had raised the prices of medicines that have already witnessed severe shortages in pharmacies during the last period by between 20% and 45%. Among the medicines whose prices have increased are CH-Alpha, which is used to treat joint wear and tear in the elderly, and Osteocare, which is used to treat osteoporosis. Among the medicines that have begun to be available in the market at new prices are Proxamol, which is used to treat kidney stones, GIT, which is used to treat respiratory diseases, and Primrose, which is used in the treatment of skin and hair. This price hike has also affected medicines used to relieve symptoms associated with infection with the Coronavirus. In addition to Fostimon, which is used to treat infertility in women.

Since the beginning of this year, the Medicines Authority has raised the prices of 104 types of medicine, some of which have witnessed a severe shortage in the drug market.