In Turkey, patients are facing difficulties accessing imported drugs due to fluctuations in the exchange rate and a fixed pricing system. This problem also impacts North Cyprus. Cem Abbasoğlu, President of the Ankara Pharmacists Chamber, highlighted that the shortage stems from a drug pricing policy established in 2004, which ties prices to a fixed exchange rate, Kibris Postasi reports.
“According to the records we have obtained, the shortage of drugs is around 20 percent at the moment. Due to the lack of drugs in warehouses and companies, patients have to go from pharmacy to pharmacy. The fixed exchange rate application is the main reason for the shortage of drugs“, the President of the Ankara Pharmacists Chamber said.
“The Euro exchange rate used for pricing medicine is significantly lower than the current real exchange rate, leading to supply shortages”, Abbasoğlu explained. While improvements have been made over the years, the core issue remains the outdated pricing decree. The current exchange rate for medicine is set at 17.54 Turkish lira per Euro, whereas the actual exchange rate is over 38 lira. This discrepancy has caused frequent shortages, especially in imported drugs. Abbasoğlu urges that the pricing policy must be updated to reflect current economic conditions, with the Ministry of Health playing a key role in resolving the issue.
Patients, especially those needing medication for chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and insulin treatments, are now visiting multiple pharmacies to find their prescriptions. Abbasoğlu reported that around 20% of medicines are unavailable, a situation which has worsened in recent years.
To combat these shortages, Abbasoğlu calls for a national drug policy that promotes local pharmaceutical production. While Turkey has a domestic drug industry, it heavily relies on foreign countries for raw materials and packaging. He advocates for more government support and incentives for the local industry to reduce dependence on imports.
North Cyprus
In North Cyprus, the situation is also challenging, as the majority of pharmaceuticals are imported from Turkey. These supply issues in Turkey directly affect patients in the TRNC, as they rely on these imports for essential medications. Abbasoğlu stressed that improving local production capabilities and adjusting the pricing policy are crucial steps to ensure patients can access the medicines they need.
