Sudanese groups warn against deregulation of drug prices

August 4, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese Pharmacist Union (SPU) and the Sudanese Consumer Protection Society (SCPS) have warned against deregulating drug prices amid speculations that the Constitutional Court might rule in favour of drug importers for the purpose.

The Drug Importers Chamber (DIC) had previously appealed to the Constitutional Court against the drugs regulatory body, the National Council for Drugs and Toxins (NCDT), calling for deregulating drug prices.

The acting secretary general of the SPU and secretary general of the SCPS, Yasser Merghani, told reporters that the NCDT is responsible for drug pricing according to article 6 of its law which stipulates that the Council is the competent national authority which provides drug specifications as well as controls for imports, manufacturing, storage, oversight, and pricing.

He predicted that drug price would increase significantly if the court decided in favour of the DIC, pointing to the NCDT’s weak control over prices and monopoly of certain drugs by a limited number of importers.

The DIC continued to complain about the government’s inability to provide foreign currency for drug importers, saying that it is the main reason for increase in drug price.

Due to the severe shortage of hard currency after the secession of South Sudan and the loss of three quarters of oil revenue, Sudanese banks are facing difficulties to supply dollars and euros to the business community.

Companies and business men resort to the black market where the price for the U.S. dollar and euro has soared.

Some observers however argued that the big jump in drug prices exceeded the increase in the exchange rate of the dollar against the U.S. dollar.

Several pharmaceutical companies were forced to shut down over lack of hard currency.

(ST)