Residents of Takhar complain about the high cost of medicine in their province. They state that many pharmacies in health centers sell necessary medications at exorbitant prices, even contrary to the rate list set by the Taliban-led National Food and Drug Administration.
Some residents of Taloqan City, the capital of Takhar province, criticize the Taliban’s Public Health Directorate for its lack of oversight over pharmacies, clinics, and private hospitals. They claim that some pharmacies in these clinics and hospitals set prices based on their desires, significantly burdening the people.
Residents of Takhar add that medication costs in these clinics and hospitals are higher than in the drug market in Taloqan City and government pharmacies. They mention that the absence of a consistent pricing list has led some patients to forgo buying medications due to economic hardships.
Asadullah, a resident of Taloqan’s fourth district, told the Hasht-e Subh Daily that some pharmacies in clinics and private hospitals, especially the pharmacy in “Eltiam” Hospital, sell necessary medications at three times the market price. He adds, “In this hospital, they sold me three packets of cold medicine and a children’s syrup for 850 Afghanis, whereas the same medicine is sold for 350 Afghanis in the drug market.” He claims that all drug sellers in Takhar engage in price gouging, but some pharmacies, particularly the one at “Eltiam” Hospital, sell medications to patients and their caregivers at triple the original price.
Asadullah says that despite people’s complaints about this hospital, the Taliban have not taken any action.
With the increasing poverty and unemployment over the past three years, people are in dire economic conditions and cannot afford the high cost of medications.
Samiullah, another resident of Taloqan City, says that the price of medications in private hospital pharmacies is three times higher than in other City pharmacies and the drug market.
He adds, “The main problem is that some medications are only available in private hospital pharmacies, and the owners of these pharmacies sell the drugs at their discretion. This is an injustice and theft, and the Public Health Directorate should prevent it.”
Haroon, who brought his sick child from the remote Yangi Qala district of Takhar province to Qatghan Hospital in Taloqan City for the second time for treatment, says that two months ago, his child had surgery at this hospital. At that time, he bought medicines worth 5,500 Afghanis.
He claims, “The doctor has given me another prescription, but I cannot afford the 11,700 Afghanis for the medication. I plan to buy half of the medication from outside.”
On the other hand, vendors in the Taloqan drug market say that most patients come with prescriptions given by doctors in hospitals and private health centers, but since these prescriptions are illegible and coded, they cannot provide the required medications.
These drug sellers say that despite the availability of all necessary medications at low prices and good quality in the market, private hospital pharmacies often use medications from specific companies, thus selling them at higher prices to the people.
Ahmad Shoaib, the head of Takhar’s Drug Sellers Union, told the Hasht-e Subh Daily that despite raising the issue of overpricing in pharmacies with Taliban health officials in the province, no attention has been given yet.
Mr. Shoaib adds, “There is a significant difference between the prices of medicines in the market and those in the pharmacies of private hospitals and clinics. Right now, a packet of ibuprofen, which is commonly used among people, costs 50 to 60 Afghanis in the drug market but is sold for 100 to 160 Afghanis in the pharmacies of clinics and private hospitals.”
The head of the Takhar Drug Sellers Union says that this action is blatant theft from people’s pockets, and the Taliban authorities should take control and oversight measures.
Meanwhile, the Taliban’s Public Health Directorate in Takhar says that this institution continuously monitors government and private health centers and pharmacies in this province.
Mohammad Asif Mohammadi, the Taliban’s Public Health Director in Takhar, says that about 102 private hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies have been inspected to improve health services, considering people’s complaints. He states that among them, 7 hospitals and clinics and 23 pharmacies have been closed for overpricing, and the offenders have been fined.
According to the Taliban’s Public Health Director in Takhar, the monitoring process of pharmacies that have been complained about for overpricing will soon begin. He adds that if people’s claims are proven, action will be taken against the price gougers according to health regulations.
This comes as the hot summer season increases seasonal diseases among residents of Takhar province, especially among poor families.
You can read the Persian version of this daily report here:
باشندهگان تخار از عدم نظارت طالبان بر دواخانهها شکایت دارند | روزنامه ۸صبح
