![](https://thadinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/15-16.jpg)
MYANMAR- It is said that pharmaceutical companies are unable to sell according to market demand, causing drug prices to rise and supply shortages.
According to drug sellers, there is a delay in issuing permits for the import of medicine from abroad from various departments under the Military Council, and the supply and demand of the market cannot be met.
In the current pharmaceutical market, the prices of various drugs have increased by at least 10% to 15%, and the drugs used for diabetics, antibiotics used for lung disease, and (expensive) imported drugs are in shortage.
“The company didn’t supply goods, as the import permit licenses are not approved, the companies are keeping the balance and selling out only a few stock. When General Moe Myint Tun (Chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission) was in service, you had to pay to get the permit license quickly. But now, step by step process have been going on for almost 3 months but still could not get permission. Because of the political situation, people are also panic buying and due to supply shortage, the drug prices are going up,” said a medicine wholesaler in the Mingalar Market.
It is announced that a step-by-step process has been carried out by the Central Committee and Working Committee of Trading, Ministry of Health, etc. for drug import permits, for correct and speedy trade and commodity flow.
As a result, drug prices are increasing from week to week, and some drugs cannot even be purchased at every pharmacy, according to people who import drugs.
The price of inhalers for asthma patients, anti-cancer drugs, and eyedrops (which previously cost roughly 20,000 MMK per bottle), has almost doubled.
The prices of medicines that normally come in from the border route are also known to increase due to road blockages and stopped border trading.
In addition to this, the Working Committee of the Central Committee for Correct and Speedy Trade Flow (under the Military Council) has divided import and export into 5 groups, and among them, the only priority commodities (such as edible oil, petroleum, and medicine) are granted import permits.