Dispute over drug prices hurts patients

Mine Tuduk - ISTANBUL / Radikal

Pharmacies lack many types of drugs as producers go stockpiling, a source says.

Pharmacies lack many types of drugs as producers go stockpiling, a source says.

As pricing disputes between the Turkish Health Ministry and drug manufacturers heat up, many companies have started stockpiling hundreds of drugs in a bid to defend themselves. 

The Turkish government increased a subsidy on drugs from 4 percent to 41 percent in November, forcing both producers and drugstores to sell their stocks at cheaper prices. 

Nearly 300 types of drugs are hoarded in the warehouses of drug companies as pharmacies lack supplies, according to data gathered by daily Radikal.

Some diabetic, insulin and cancer drugs fall short of demand at pharmacies due to the ongoing dispute. 
“Some drugs moved onto the black market,” said a drugstore worker, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

According to the Social Security Institution (SGK), drugs which could not be found in the market have generics that are available at pharmacies. 

“There are no major complaints we have received from patients,” an SGK official said in response to the questions on the matter.