Ministry of Health announces 24% price cut on some medicines

The National -- The price of select medicines that are used to treat various diseases and infections will be reduced by up to 24 per cent, the Ministry of Health and Prevention announced on Saturday.

The move forms part of the Ministry’s commitment to providing high-quality medicines priced according to regional standards, as well as to improving healthcare services in the UAE.

The products that will see a 24 per cent reduction in price treat various disorders, including bacterial infections, joint pain, epileptic seizures, heart attacks, prostate cancer, diabetes and breast cancer.

The Ministry said it has co-ordinated with Sanofi Pharma and local agents to ensure that the new costs will be implemented across the country. The prices of 8,732 medicines have already been brought down since the commencement of a series of price reduction initiatives, which began on July 2, 2011.

The reductions will specifically benefit individuals with chronic diseases or cancer who require long-term treatment. Lowering the price of high-quality medicines, alongside the provision of affordable pharmaceutical services, is the result of the strategic partnership between the Ministry and international pharmaceutical companies operating in the country.

Many global pharmaceutical firms have their regional headquarters in the UAE and each of them currently employs 100 to 500 employees. Their logistic hubs are mainly located in airports and free zones.