The Tunisian government has been reminded of its obligation to pay pharmacists on time, with a deadline of 14 days stipulated in the law. The National Bureau of the Pharmacists' Union of Tunisia (SPOT) made the statement in response to recent comments by Social Affairs Minister Issam Lahmar. He had suggested that payments to private pharmacists would only be made if they resumed work with the third-party payment system of the National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM).
The SPOT emphasized that the government is bound by law to respect its commitments and pay pharmacists. According to the 2004 law establishing the health insurance system and the sectoral convention signed in 2019, the government must guarantee payment within the stipulated timeframe. The union also noted that it had been in contact with CNAM and the Social Affairs Ministry since September, with verbal promises of payment made during this period.
Despite these assurances, the pharmacists have yet to receive their payments, leading to a suspension of work with the third-party payment system. The SPOT expressed its desire to see the situation resolved and highlighted the potential consequences of non-payment. A report by the Assembly of People's Representatives (ARP) in July warned that the delayed payment of pharmacists could lead to a financial crisis for many pharmacies.
According to the ARP report, the CNAM's debts to pharmacists had reached over 180 million dinars by the end of July, with a daily increase of around one million dinars. The situation has already affected nearly 300 pharmacies, out of a total of 2,000 that have signed up to the third-party payment system. These pharmacies are struggling to pay their suppliers and tax obligations.
The SPOT and other medical unions have been in discussions with the government to resolve the issue. The union has sent letters to the relevant ministries and held meetings with CNAM and the Social Affairs Ministry. However, the lack of progress has led to growing concerns about the impact on the healthcare system.
The delayed payments have sparked fears of a wider crisis in the healthcare sector. With many pharmacies struggling to stay afloat, there are concerns about the availability of essential medicines and the impact on patients. The government is under pressure to find a solution to the crisis and ensure that pharmacists receive their payments on time.
The issue highlights the challenges facing the Tunisian healthcare system, including the need for more effective management of finances and communication between the government and medical professionals. The SPOT and other unions are calling for urgent action to address the crisis and ensure that pharmacists receive the payments they are owed.
Key points
- The Tunisian government owes pharmacists over 180 million dinars in delayed payments.
- Nearly 300 pharmacies have suspended work with the third-party payment system due to non-payment.
- The crisis has sparked concerns about the availability of essential medicines and the impact on patients.
