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2026-08-01 10:43 UTC → 2026-08-04 13:33 UTC ·
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Tunisia pharmaceutical pharma sector challenges faces power cuts, price disputes
In late July 2026, Tunisian business leaders warned that repeated, Repeated, unplanned electricity outages were jeopardising continued to jeopardise the cold‑chain for vaccines and insulin. The temperature‑sensitive medicines. In late July, the National Organisation of Entrepreneurs blamed the state utility STEG for material losses, while the (ONE) escalated its response by establishing a legal cell to help affected firms file claims, urging authorities to prioritise power supply to industrial zones, create a multi‑party crisis cell, ensure transparent damage reporting and set up compensation mechanisms. The National Order of Pharmacists called (CNOPT) sent a formal request to STEG’s chief executive for an emergency meeting. meeting to discuss immediate solutions and a strategic plan for continuity of pharmaceutical services. The price‑revision announced by the Central Pharmacy’s price revision for Pharmacy, affecting roughly 300 medicines medicines, sparked protests from private pharmacy owners, who said they renewed criticism. The Private Pharmacy Owners’ Union reiterated that pharmacists had been excluded from decision‑making bodies the drug‑purchase commission and demanded the drug observatory, demanding that any price changes be based on objective, transparent criteria that reflect citizens’ purchasing power and the sector’s viability. The union noted Deputies in parliament joined the protest, warning that some hikes stemmed from higher costs threaten access for patients with chronic or serious illnesses and calling for a reduction in previously granted subsidies. Later national vision on drug pricing, greater transparency and safeguards for low‑income patients. The Central Pharmacy defended the modest hikes, stating they apply only to a limited set of imported medicines whose tariffs had not been updated for years, and are intended to cover rising import costs and prevent shortages. Earlier in July, the National Council of Order of Pharmacists issued a public warning urging pharmacists’ council advised citizens to store medicines in cool, dry places during heat waves to preserve drug quality. Simultaneously, waves, while the Tunisian Pharmacy Union confirmed it would keep continue applying the third‑party payment agreement with the National Health Insurance Fund while amid ongoing negotiations continue toward a permanent contract, highlighting concerns over delayed payments and invoicing irregularities.