Health authorities back new bill allowing unlimited number of branches across Kingdom

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The Ministry of Health, the Supreme Council of Health, and the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) have expressed their approval for a new bill that would permit pharmacy owners to open an unlimited number of branches across the Kingdom.

Health Minister, Her Excellency Dr Jaleela Sayed, stated that the bill aims to increase the number of pharmacies in Bahrain to align with current and future needs, especially in light of the Kingdom’s ongoing urban expansion and the development of new cities.

Additionally, it seeks to meet the requirements for implementing the health insurance program.

Dr Sayed emphasised that the bill has been thoroughly reviewed by relevant committees and stakeholders from various sectors to ensure it serves the public interest.

Openness, collaboration

The legislation is expected to promote openness and collaboration with global suppliers of licensed pharmaceuticals, which could contribute to lowering prices and increasing the availability and variety of medicines.

The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has also expressed its support for the bill in principle.

However, it advocates for certain conditions and criteria to ensure a balance between openness and the protection of local pharmacies.

This includes setting a cap on the number of pharmacies any individual can establish and mitigating the risk of flooding the local market with imports.

Profit margins

The Chamber also calls for adjusting profit margins and conducting studies to assess the medium- and long-term impacts of the bill’s approval.

It noted that the bill introduces legal frameworks to minimise potential risks and disputes for those circumventing current regulations, while also granting citizens greater access to a variety of medications and alternatives.

Additionally, the Bahrain Pharmacists Association has also shown support for the bill, which is set to be discussed in the upcoming session of the Shura Council on Sunday.

Competitiveness

The Association believes the legislation could positively enhance competitiveness in the pharmaceutical sector, encouraging major companies managing pharmacy chains to improve their service quality and expand their offerings.

This could also create additional job opportunities for citizens in the sector, support the national economy, and attract investments in the pharmaceutical field.

However, the Association raised potential challenges, indicating that the bill might increase pressure on regulatory oversight, which could hinder effective market monitoring and guidance.

Oversupply

Concerns were also voiced about the possibility of prioritising promotional and commercial objectives, potentially leading to an oversupply of profitable medications at the expense of essential therapeutic drugs.

Furthermore, there are worries about the dominance of large companies and congestion in densely populated areas.