KABUL (SW) – With each passing day, the prices of the medicine in the open market are rising to new heights, said traders on Thursday.
With the establishment of the Taliban government, in addition to food and other basic goods, the prices of medicine have also risen across the country.
Assadullah Kakar, head of the Afghan Pharmaceutical Services Union, told Salam Watandar that the prices of medicine and health products have risen by 10 to 15 percent as the Taliban government took shape.
He cited major problems in the banking system as the main reason for the increase in the prices, and said that money has not been transferred to foreign pharmaceutical companies in a timely manner that has resulted in shortages and price hike.
He added that a certain amount of imported drugs is stuck at the country’s customs, and if this amount of drugs does not enter the market soon, it is unlikely that it will expire and result in losses for traders.
The head of the Afghan Pharmaceutical Services Union said that if banking and other problems are resolved, this body can have full control over the quality and price of medicines. Kakar called on the authorities to streamline the customs duty on medicines.
Meanwhile, drug wholesalers in the Parwan Hotel area of Kabul said that with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan taking shape, drug prices have also risen at retail level. They added that there are many reasons for the increase in drug prices, but the main reason is banking problems.
As per the Afghan Pharmaceutical Services Union, at least four medicine dealers have been abducted by unknown individuals in recent days from Balkh and Kabul provinces.
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