WILLEMSTAD - The newly introduced price list for medicines has direct consequences for their prices and availability. The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) announced the new price list last Tuesday. In addition to the Association of Pharmacy Owners (UAE), the Association of Importers of Pharmaceutical Products (VIPP) also fears that consumers will suffer.

According to VIPP, the price list goes against a previously signed covenant with the government. The importers say that there has been a dispute with the government for years about the best approach that should lead to lowering costs.

The new price list means that some importers have to close their doors. With importers pre-financing medicines and cutting margins on branded medicines in half, some importers will not make it.

The government can no longer guarantee healthcare because of the new prices, according to VIPP. There is a lot of misunderstanding among the importers and they will not adjust prices for the time being. Negotiations would have to take place to achieve a reduction in costs. They call on Minister of Health, Environment and Nature Zita Jesus-Leito to do so.