Egypt has once again been hit by drug shortages following reports of penicillin injections missing from shelves earlier in December. Penicillin injections shortages were reported by pharmacists and MPs earlier this month though the government initially denied the reports. However, the Health Ministry said last week it will work to end the crisis by Wednesday. Drug shortages have been common since last year, with the government attributing it to a surge in the US dollar exchange rate, as the effective materials are bought in hard currency. In statements to Al-Masry Al-Youm, Ouf said that the missing drugs are for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, heart, kidney, liver, brain and nerves diseases.

Source: Egypt Independent December 17, 2017 09:45 UTC