In a pharmacy in Lebanon. (Credit: AFP archive photo)
On Wednesday, the Lebanese Ministry of Health deplored delays in the delivery of cancer and chronic disease drugs, which it distributes to patients at reduced prices, due to the two-week strike by civil servants, which was only lifted on Monday.
A press release from the ministry says a shortage of these medicines, which have not been delivered on time by importers, although they are available in depots, due to delays in transfers to the Central Banks (BDL), which is responsible for releasing funds to traders.
"The Ministry of Health calls on all those involved to take into account the negative repercussions of their actions on the most vulnerable. The process of financing medicines to importers through official channels is a guarantee that debts will not accumulate in the private sector. Priority must be given to the health of patients, in all circumstances," added the press release.
This article originally appeared in French in L'Orient-Le Jour.