General Confederation of Lebanese Workers President Bechara Asmar and head of the Pharmacists’ Syndicate Joe Salloum announced the funding drive during a press conference on Dec. 30, 2021. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT – General Confederation of Lebanese Workers President Bechara Asmar and head of the Pharmacists’ Syndicate Joe Salloum announced during a press conference on Thursday the launch of a funding campaign for a medicine card that would, according to the latter, “cover the full cost of pharmaceuticals provided directly from pharmacists to patients,” the state-run National News Agency reported.
Here’s what we know:
• Asmar stressed the importance of the card for “poor citizens and those who have limited incomes,” along with the importance of supporting local pharmaceutical manufacturers and monitoring imported medicine. Asmar also called for the revitalization of the Public Health Ministry’s central laboratory and national medicine office.
• Salloum also emphasized the card’s importance, warning against “relying on the Ministry of Social Affairs’ ration card that has yet to be implemented.” The syndicate head noted the need for urgent intervention. “Patients are dying because they can’t access their medicine,” he said.
• Preliminary plans for a medicine card were proposed by Caretaker Health Minister Hamad Hassan on Sep. 2, involving support from international donors and payments for medicine to be made through credit.