Jbara to LBCI: Medicines for incurable diseases still subsidized, not affected by dollar exchange rate-[VIDEO]

Head of the Syndicate of Pharmaceutical Importers Companies Karim Jbara said on Monday that medicines for incurable, chronic and cancerous diseases are still subsidized and are unaffected by the black market US dollar exchange rate, explaining that the problem is in opening the necessary credit lines from the Lebanese Central Bank for importers.

In an interview with LBCI’s "Naharkom Said" TV show, he pointed out that the value of the subsidy for these medicines amounts to 25 million US dollars per month, noting that this amount is not enough to cover the needs of Lebanese patients.

Concerning the medicines for which the subsidy has been completely removed, he stated that importers could purchase them without having to go through the Central Bank.

"As a result, they are easily imported, and the Ministry of Health prices them," Jbara added.

He also pointed out that the Ministry of Health had priced unsubsidized medicines a month ago at 26,000 LBP pounds to the dollar, stressing that importers are unable to bear the difference now that the exchange rate has surpassed 30,000 LBP.

Jbara concluded by explaining that the drugs for which the subsidy has been completely removed have market alternatives.