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The prices of most commonly used medicine in Fiji have increased from 100 – 180 per cent from 2007 to 2009, according to a survey by the Consumer Council of Fiji.
And the council believes that consumers will continue to fork out excessive costs for essential medication unless there is fair play and true competition in the pharmaceutical industry in Fiji.
Council chief executive Premila Kumar said last November the council was compelled to conduct a price survey on the drugs related to common diseases suffered by most people in Fiji such as diabetes, hypertension and heart diseases.
This after they started receiving numerous complaints on the exorbitant prices of medication.
The findings of the survey, she said was disturbing for instance Metmorfin, a widely used prescription generic drug for diabetes sold for three cents a tablet in 2007, is now available for 8 cents per tablet.
“We believe that better price control, changes to the pharmaceutical ownership/licensing laws and other reforms can help bring a more just market for consumers in Fiji,” she said.
