KABUL (SW) – Members of the Afghanistan Pharmaceutical Services Union have gone on strike against alleged government-backed monopoly in the import of medicine and health products.
Assadullah Kakar, head of the Afghanistan Pharmaceutical Services Union, told Salam Watandar that the government had launched a plan to establish five chain companies to monopolize the country’s medical services. “Although, more than ten days have passed since our protest, no one from the Food and Drug Authority has met us … we ask the president to pay attention to solving our problems and those of the people.”
Gul Halim Halim, deputy director of the Afghanistan Pharmaceutical Services Union, said that until government officials pay attention to their demands and enter into talks with them to resolve the issue, they will continue to strike in the capital and provinces, with pharmacies closed across the country. “If there is any problem in any hospital and clinic in Afghanistan for children, women and the elderly, then it is not the responsibility of the union but the government,” he said.
In the first moments of protest, a number of Kabul residents were seen facing troubles obtaining it. Ahmad came looking for medicine with a prescription in downtown Kabul. He said his daughter was in a coma, but all the pharmacies remained closed. “My daughter has been in a coma for three months,” said the resident.
Ibrahim Shinwari, head of the Independent National Food and Drug Authority, said they have no plans to monopolize the import of medicine, but a series of reforms are planned. “There is no such thing as restricting the import of drugs to a limited number of companies,” said Shinwari. He added the plan covers all the steps of the sector, including production, import, transportation, storage, wholesale and retail, patient guidance and how to use the medicine, for which there are certain guidelines.
ENDS
