Health Minister Hatem el-Gabaly will meet Thursday with international pharmaceutical companies operating in Egypt, in an attempt to quell their anger over his recent decision to reduce the prices of 48 products. The price reductions range between 10-60 percent and will take effect next July.
The companies say the minister made the decision without consulting them, and threaten to file a lawsuit if a compromise cannot be reached during the meeting.
However, sources at the health ministry say the decision is final.
The minister’s decision applies to medicines for various diseases, including rheumatism, ulcers, osteoporosis and epilepsy.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
