In the statement made by the Pharmacists' Association, it was noted that the recent developments regarding access to medicine and the TRNC's need for independence in health have once again revealed the structural problems in the pharmaceutical industry and market.
In the statement, it was stated that the gap between the medicine exchange rate, which was determined as 17.5483 TL with the last increase made in December 2023 in Turkey, and the real euro exchange rate has widened significantly, and it was argued that this situation harmed industrialists, restricted the supply of medicines and caused the limitation of exports abroad, including the TRNC, and it was emphasized that exports were stopped in various items in order to meet domestic consumption in the UK.
"When we look at the TRNC, unfortunately, the agenda is occupied by power struggles; our country seems far from taking concrete steps that will produce solutions for the health needs of its citizens." The statement, which used the expressions, stated that the only permanent solution to this problem is for the TRNC to have a domestic production capacity that can meet its own drug needs.
The statement said, “A health system that can produce enough drugs for our own citizens will both ensure supply security and support sustainability in health by reducing external dependency.”
The statement emphasized the need to take the necessary steps for the sustainability of health services and citizens’ access to their health rights, and the following was noted:
“It is now a necessity for the TRNC to increase its own drug production capacity and become self-sufficient.
Otherwise, external dependency will increase and our citizens’ access to medicine will become more and more of a crisis day by day.
We expect the right policies, logical and correct steps. Remember, we pharmacists are your closest health consultants.”
