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 EYLEA (40mg/ml), a drug for the treatment of eye conditions in adults, has been reduced from LBP 1,891,072 to LBP 1,431,699.
•  The price of MIMPARA (90 mg), a drug for the treatment of hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease, has been reduced from LBP 1,129,391 to LBP 878,746.
•  The price of OSSOPAN (800 mg), a drug for the treatment of osteoporosis, has been reduced from LBP 20,240 to LBP 15,865.
•  The price of ITRAZOL (100 mg), a drug for the treatment of fungal infections, has been reduced from LBP 6,992 to LBP 5,594.
• The price of DECAPEPTYL LP (11.25 mg), a drug for the treatment of prostate cancer, has been reduced from LBP 683,240 to LBP 549,031.
•  The price of PANTOVER (40 mg), a drug for the treatment of duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, and reflux esophagitis, has been reduced from LBP 30,526 to LBP 24,631.

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.