The Burkinabè authorities have stepped up to the plate following a “unilateral” measure taken by the National Syndicate of Pharmacists of Burkina to increase the prices of pharmaceutical products.
During an interview granted to Radiodiffusion Télévision du Burkina (RTB), the Minister of Health, Robert Lucien Kargougou, announced the observation of « the unilateral increase in the prices of pharmaceutical specialties at the level of pharmaceutical pharmacies decided by the National Syndicate of Pharmacists of Burkina ».
« This unfortunate unilateral decision to increase the prices of pharmaceutical specialties resembles an anti-competition agreement prohibited by national, WAEMU and ECOWAS texts », he indicated, according to information relayed Monday by the local press.
For the Minister, “it is out of the question that this unilateral increase will be accepted. It is unacceptable, inappropriate”. And to add, “the government will take its responsibilities to protect the purchasing power of the populations”.
The government was unconvinced by the motivation behind the Union’s decision. He called for a boycott, by its members, of drugs marketed by the Central Purchasing Center for Essential Generic Drugs and Medical Consumables (CAMEG), for the simple reason that the profit margin of 32% for reselling essential generic drugs is not tenable.
A meeting is expected to take place this Tuesday between the Ministry of Health and the Union to discuss this issue and many others.
By OMA Newsletter N° 1127 of 11/04/2023
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
