The Advisory Council in its ordinary session on Monday approved the draft law that seeks to eliminate government control over pricing of medicines and liberalise their imports.
The Cabinet had approved the draft law in October last year and forwarded it to the Advisory Council seeking its recommendations.
The Council meeting, chaired by Speaker Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi approved the draft law through a majority vote. The law was approved without any amendments.
The Advisory Council had forwarded the draft law to its Services and Public Buildings Committee for detailed study. The Committee held three meetings in which the Minister of Health HE Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani and senior officials from the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) were present.
The new law will replace Law No 7 of 1990 regarding the pricing and monitoring of pharmaceutical products in the country. The law proposes to end the monopoly on imports of medicines and open up the market to competition. Currently the market is controlled by some 16 agents, who enjoy exclusive dealership of pharmaceutical products.
The law will enable more firms to operate in the market subject to strict control by the SCH. Prices of pharmaceutical products are expected to fall with enactment of the proposed law. The law also aims to address the shortage or non-availability some medicines in the country by liberalising imports.
Several nationals and residents have welcomed the proposed law and urged the authorities to enact similar regulations to address the high prices of automobiles and some essential commodities .
“ It is a good step that will have a positive impact on the market. I hope other sectors will also be organised in such a way, especially food stuff and cars,” said Abdussalam Al Aji, in remarks to Al Sharq.
“The law is good, but will the prices of medicines fall? Will the dealers abide by the strict regulations imposed by the authorities,” asked Rajab Mohammed Al Merri, a national.
Abdul Aziz Al Nabit, another respondent said it was difficult to find some medicines in the market due to the monopoly enjoyed by a few dealers. “ I hope low-priced medicines will also be made available in the market when it is opened to competition,” said Al Nabit.
THE PENINSULA