Premier al-Halaqi: Achieving medicine security is strategic option for the government

DAMASCUS – Prime Minister Wael al-Halaqi said achieving medicine security is a strategic option for the Syrian government.

To that end, the government has made decisions and taken several measures for the protection of the national medicinal industry and developing new industries to cover the needs of the Syrian citizens, hospitals and pharmacies, added al-Halaqi, addressing head and members of the Syrian Pharmacists Syndicate’s Council during a meeting on Saturday, SANA reported.

 He gave strict directions to the effect of monitoring medicines being sold at the pharmacies and hospitals to ensure that they match the medical specifications and announced prices.

The Premier highlighted the role of the Syndicate and other parties concerned in enhancing confidence in the locally made medical products, “that match up to the world standards and compete international products.”

The national medicinal industry has been badly affected by the crisis in the country, ongoing since 2011, as locally-made medicines used to cover 93 % of the local market’s needs, a percentage that has now dropped to 89 %.

However, 14 out of 20 terrorism-damaged drug factories have been re-operated, according to an earlier statement by Health Minister Nizar Yazigi.

A number of licenses have also been given for establishing new factories to help meet the shortfall in medicine production and increase the coverage rate.