Pharmacies' profits set to be capped - Gulf Daily News

More documents

Recommendations

Info

2 Gulf Daily News Thursday, 14th March 2013
Email: gdnnews@gdn.com.bh Gulf Daily News Thursday, 14th March 2013 3 Medicine prices set to fall as pharmacies’ profits capped PHARMACIES have been accused of fleecing customers by charging “exorbitant” prices for medicines in Bahrain. In some cases people are forced to pay double the costs charged in other countries and have to buy them abroad, according to campaigners. However, customers could soon pay “significantly less” for medication when new regulations capping the profits of By Mandeep Singh pharmacies at 35 per cent come into effect. It is being implemented as part of a GCC-wide procurement policy. “There has been a decision to put a cap on profit margins charged by pharmacies to between 25 and 35pc, depending on the kind of medication,” said National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) chief exec- utive officer Dr Baha Eldin Fathea. “The profit margins earlier were as high as 50pc in some cases. The GCC policy should prevent vast differences in the cost of medicines being sold in the region. Sources said prices were much less now in some of Bahrain’s neighbours, prompting people to get their supplies from across the border. Bahrain Sickle Cell Society chairman Zakreya Al Kadhem welcomed the new regulations. “They will help the thousands of sick people who have so far had to pay exorbitant amounts to procure painkillers, among other drugs,” he said. “We feel we have been fleeced and cheated all these years so we welcome the new decision.” The campaigner said customers had been paying too much for many years and therefore made regular trips to Saudi Arabia and even as far as Thailand to get medicines at half the price. Pharmacies Owners and Importers Society Bahrain president Dr Fadhel Al Arrayed pledged to comment later, but earlier denied medicines in Bahrain were overpriced. mandeep@gdn.com.bh it shows when you’re not on VIVA Postpaid Get your smile back with VIVA Postpaid. Enjoy great value with the best plans that offer unmatched features that’ll keep you happy. Monthly Subscription Fee Free Monthly Credit Postpaid 5* Postpaid 10 Postpaid 20 BD 5 BD 10 BD 20 BD 5 (up to 166 minutes) BD 10 (up to 500 minutes) BD 20 (up to 2000 minutes) Local Voice Minute Rate 30 fils 20 fils 10 fils Free Bundled Data 50MB 100MB 200MB *available for a limited period.
Page 1: VOL XXXV NO. 359 (GGDN 024) HONOURA
Page 5 and 6: Gulf Daily News Thursday, 14th Marc
Page 7 and 8: Email: gdnnews@gdn.com.bh Gulf Dail
Page 9 and 10: something to teach us This by hotel
Page 11 and 12: anding yourself and networking. Psy
Page 13 and 14: Email: gdnnews@gdn.com.bh Crown Pri
Page 19 and 20: WORLD New Pope is elected VATICAN C
Page 21 and 22: p host of y events DJ Conny joins t
Page 23 and 24: Gulf Daily News Thursday, 14th Marc
Page 25 and 26: MANAMA: National Finance House (NFH
Page 27 and 28: essential guide to local and world
Page 29 and 30: 06.00 Comedy News 06.30 Comedy Star
Page 31 and 32: Services JOZ CLEANING & MAINTE- NAN
Page 33 and 34: WEST EKER brand new building with 6
Page 35 and 36: ACME requires experienced Cleaners,
Page 37 and 38: Email: gdnsport@batelco.com.bh Ques
Page 39 and 40: Email: gdnsport@batelco.com.bh WORL

Pharmacies' profits set to be capped - Gulf Daily News

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?