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Government lifts baby formula subsidies

Government lifts baby formula subsidies

Caretaker Health Minister Firass Abiad during a press conference on Jan. 10, 2023. (Credit: Zeina Antonios/ L'Orient Today)

BEIRUT — The Lebanese government has lifted subsidies on baby formula, caretaker Health Minister Firass Abiad said during a press conference Tuesday. 

Baby formula, which was still partially subsidized before Tuesday, has at times been in short supply since the start of the country's economic crisis in 2019. It is also often resold on the black market in Lebanon and Syria, alongside some other medicines and consumer goods.

"We import large quantities of baby formula, but they disappear every time," Abiad said at the press conference. So we decided to lift the subsidies on this product because there are no clear solutions to end these shortages. We will continue to help families who cannot afford it through partnerships with the international community."

On Saturday, Abiad said that drugs for cancer and chronic diseases, which are out of stock on the local market, as well as large quantities of baby formula, would be delivered to pharmacies this week.

Banque du Liban has been subsidizing the import of certain drugs and products sold in pharmacies since the beginning of the crisis, though sharply reduced these measures in 2021 as its reserves dwindled.


BEIRUT — The Lebanese government has lifted subsidies on baby formula, caretaker Health Minister Firass Abiad said during a press conference Tuesday. Baby formula, which was still partially subsidized before Tuesday, has at times been in short supply since the start of the country's economic crisis in 2019. It is also often resold on the black market in Lebanon and Syria, alongside some...