The price of more than 500 commonly used drugs will be slashed by up to 70 per cent within four months as part of a nationwide project to reduce the cost of medicine.

They include those used to treat blood pressure, gastrointestinal ailments, arthritis, diseases affecting the immune system, diabetes and metabolic diseases.

The National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) confirmed more than 500 medications would be included in the initial phase of the plan to reduce prices, following negotiations with international drug suppliers.

More reductions on other medicines are expected in the coming months as part of the initiative, based on a recommendation from the Cabinet.

“This is a major step forward in Bahrain to provide its people with lifesaving medicine at a reasonable price,” said NHRA chief executive Dr Baha Eldin Fateha.

“These medicines will be the same as the unified GCC price so no one will have to travel to Saudi Arabia to get their medicine. “This change in price should also lower the cost of healthcare as both private and public hospitals will be getting their medicine at the cheaper rate too,” Dr Fateha said.

Source: Gulf Daily News

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