The current inflation rate and continuous hikes in prices of raw materials have culminated into higher prices of medicines leading to calls by the association for the Authority to review the medicines list.
A statement by the association further explained their calls for the review
A lot of the medicines on the NHIS Medicines List are lagging by an average of 100% of current market prices, the statement read.
In other news, Ghana National Chamber of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Importers and Wholesalers Association, and Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Ghana mentioned that they already resorted to the cash-and-carry system as a measure to curtail the effects of increases.
Mr. William Adum Addo, President of the Pharmaceutical Importers and Wholesalers Association, advised government to resolve expeditiously the situation to prevent risking collapse of the industry.
The association bemoaned the increases and explained in detail the margins of increases.
For example, a tablet of Paracetamol, which used to cost 0.05 Ghana Cedis, is now 0.21 GHS on the market, whilst the NHIS price is currently set at 0.09 GHS.
The association also advised the NHIA to change their traditional practice of waiting for a year or more before reviewing NHIS Medicines list as the last review was in March 2021.
We are not living in normal times and, therefore, the Authority must act as such, the association opined.
This development may pose yet another burden on Ghanaians with respect to health care and access to quality healthcare.
