Mizzima-June 24
In major cities including Yangon and Mandalay, drug prices have been rising recently, with some medicines reportedly in short supply, according to drug sellers. Medicine sellers stated that the increasing prices of imported medicines are due to the rising dollar exchange rate and stringent import-export processes imposed by the military regime at ports. The regime has mandated that pharmaceutical importers will only receive an import license if they purchase US dollars at the official rate. This requirement has exacerbated the rise in drug prices and the decline in stock levels. “The dollar plays an important role in the drug market. 70 per cent of medicines in Myanmar are imported, so rising dollar prices result in increasing medicine prices. Currently, household medicines like the Decolgen brand cost over 500 Kyat per tablet. Previously, this medicine was only around 150 Kyats. These shortages will be a long-term trend because of the junta’s dollar controls,” said a worker at a household drug store in Yangon. Household medicines are transported from Yangon port to other regions. With shortages in Yangon, the situation is even worse in other regions and states, according to a drug seller in Mandalay. Medicines for chronic diseases like high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, and antibiotics for lung problems and diabetes are now hard to find in both Yangon and Mandalay. Read more at: https://eng.mizzima.com/2024/06/24/11112
