The New Nation - Internet Edition

A NEW crisis in respect of medical care is probably about to hit people due to lack of care or timely decision on the part of relevant authorities. The local drug producers and sellers warned the government at least two months ago about the crisis that was being aggravated by lack of concern and timely action on the part of the government. The crisis looming on the horizon is from the unresolved situation in relation to import of raw materials by the leading medicine producing companies of the country. The users of the medicines and the government were both warned that they must not assuredly count on getting such medicines in the pharmacy shops two or three months from now if the government remains strangely inactive about their demand to allow the selling of medicines at readjusted higher prices.

It could be misjudged as an ultimatum delivered by the drug companies against the helpless consumers and the government. But in reality, it was not. The companies are importing raw materials at higher prices in recent months but then selling the medicines at prices fixed officially years ago. They have been sort of subsidising on their own the sale at the fixed prices which do not reflect the higher import costs of raw materials. But it cannot go on like this. Therefore, they have been urging the government repeatedly to take the vital decision of revising upwards the fixed rates of selling medicines at the soonest after consultation with them. Or else the companies would simply have no alternative but to stop production.

But the reaction from the relevant ministry seems to be still one of unconcern. The secretary of the relevant ministry was noted telling the media some eight weeks ago that he was aware of the problem and would sit across the table with producers to resolve it. But no such initiative has been taken so far. The rather easy going attitude of the government in this matter, truly creates deep apprehensions. For the government has been found not proactive about some other serious issues that led to the worsening of the sufferings of common people. That is why, swift official actions in this area are indispensable to offset the possibilities of a full blown crisis developing from the inability to take actions in time.

Government, of course, has reasons of its own to be wary of readjusting prices upwards. Under the present drug policy, it is intended that users should have access to medicines at affordable prices produced in the country. Nobody objects to the goal of the drug policy. But when it is a choice between no medicine or medicines at somewhat higher prices for unavoidable reasons, then surely some adjustments are unavoidable. The government just cannot afford to sit tight and do nothing and allow circumstances to develop. Therefore, actions from the government are over due to relieve all concerned of the anxiety.