When the Lebanese State proves its effectiveness

On March 23, 2018, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health issued a list of major price reductions for certain drugs. It lowered the cost of some drugs by 18% to 74%. For instance:

• The price of NINLARO (4mg), a drug for the treatment of white blood cell cancer, has been reduced from LBP 14,542,825 to LBP 8,274,888.
•  The price of TARCEVA (150 mg), a drug for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, has been reduced from LBP 4,467,923 to LBP 2,611,619.
•  The price of OPDIVO (100 mg/10 ml), a drug for the treatment of certain types of cancer, has been reduced from LBP 4,291,354 to LBP 2,511,786.
•  The price of LOTEVAN (10 mg/320 mg), a drug for the treatment of hypertension, coronary artery disease, chronic stable angina, vasospastic angina, heart problems, kidney diseases and other conditions, has been reduced from LBP 58,609 to LBP 34,491.

So the question is how drug sellers have managed to impose high prices on citizens for so long. The Ministry of Public Health has done a remarkable job of showing how the State can be effective.