The Pharmacists Club demands an urgent investigation into the violating practices of distribution companies
Dr. Mohamed Esmat, President of the Egyptian Pharmacists Club and member of the Executive Office of the Arab Pharmacists Union, said that in an unprecedented scene of economic challenges afflicting the Egyptian pharmaceutical sector, pharmacies are exposed — Especially small and medium Successive strikes threaten its existence, and open the door to a dangerous health vacuum that society may be unable to bear, noting that the most recent of these strikes came from a pharmaceutical company, one of the largest drug distribution companies in Egypt, after its sudden decision to cancel the cash discount on pharmacy bills of less than ten thousand pounds, in a step that is considered an explicit and direct violation of the state’s decisions, and in disregard of the law, the rights of the pharmacist, and the stability of the drug market.
Dr. Muhammad explained. Ismat said that the problem is not in a discount that has been cancelled, but rather in the philosophy of “economic power,” pointing out that the current scene reveals a painful truth about the major distribution companies that act as if they are “parallel authorities,” imposing their rules on the market far from legislation, and redrawing the work environment according to their own interests, while the pharmacist finds himself the weakest party, trapped between high prices, the absence of a profit margin, and insignificant operating costs. Have mercy.
Dr. Muhammad Esmat added that these single policies that go beyond the law and state decisions threaten to bankrupt hundreds of pharmacies, withdraw pharmacies from popular and rural areas, disrupt patients’ access to medicine, and disrupt drug security. He is already on the verge of danger, pointing out that when a small pharmacy is forced to buy medicine without a discount, the equation has become imbalanced, and monopoly is the main player.
Dr. Muhammad Esmat emphasized that profit margins and discounts Cash is part of this system, not a “feature” The company gives it whenever it wants and withdraws it whenever it wants, pointing out that ignoring the implementation of the decision is a direct economic assault on pharmacies, and opens the door to monopolistic practices that affect national pharmaceutical security.
Dr. Mohamed Esmat sent an appeal from the heart of the profession to the political leadership, in the name of thousands of pharmacists, we raise our voice loudly, to His Excellency the President of the Republic, we call on you to protect the unity of the pharmaceutical system and to save pharmacies, which are the first line of defense for the citizen’s health. We trust in Your concern for the stability of the medicine market, and we only ask for the enforcement of the law and the deterrence of abuses that threaten health security.
The Prime Minister called for rapid intervention and the opening of an urgent investigation into the practices of distribution companies that violated state decisions. Pharmacies are collapsing, and this collapse will be translated directly into the citizen’s ability to obtain safe treatment at an appropriate price.
Dr. Mohamed Esmat sent a message to the head of the Egyptian Medicines Authority: You are the body most capable of stopping these violations now before tomorrow. We demand that all punitive articles be activated. Against every company that bypasses state decisions or imposes unilateral conditions that weaken the pharmacist and harm the medicine.
He explained that pharmacies are not commercial stores, they are health facilities that operate according to a medical license, and stand in the first row of the health care system. Any economic shock that befalls them, especially from companies that manipulate discounts and credit, is a direct threat to the health of citizens, to the value of medicine, and to Egypt’s pivotal role in the medicine industry in the region.
Dr. Mohamed Talib Esmat, to stop the practices of a national company, investigate every company that tampers with the rights of pharmacies, and protect the pharmacist from the unfair trade conditions imposed by the companies.
He also called on all state institutions to be on the side of the pharmacist, as the pharmacist today in Egypt is no longer demanding an increase in profit or privilege, he is only demanding to live, to continue performing his honorable role, and to obtain his undiminished legal rights, indicating that silence now is no longer an option and immediate intervention is the only solution before we find ourselves facing a widespread wave of closures. For pharmacies that were once the safety valve for society.
- For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Related
