The Tunisian Syndicate of Private Pharmacy Owners announced on Friday that it will suspend the third-party payment system for patients insured with the National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM) starting November 1, 2026. This decision was made due to the persistent non-respect of contractual commitments by CNAM and the lack of concrete solutions to ensure the continuity of the service. The syndicate had previously set a deadline for this week to resolve the issue.
According to the syndicate, despite a meeting of its National Expanded Instance on October 27, no resolution was reached, leading to the suspension of the third-party payment system. The syndicate claims it had warned CNAM and concerned parties on October 19 about the impossibility of maintaining the system without respect for contractual commitments and payment of due sums. This situation has led to difficulties in supplying pharmacies with medications.
The suspension aims to preserve the continuity of pharmacy services, their ability to stock up on medications, and ensure patients' access to them. The syndicate emphasizes that this decision was made to protect the interests of both pharmacies and patients. The current context is marked by persistent supply difficulties, making it challenging for pharmacies to operate efficiently.
The syndicate also criticizes the fiscal pressure on private pharmacies and the lack of solutions to structural problems within the profession. They argue that there is a need for measures to regulate unregulated activities. These issues have contributed to the current impasse and the decision to suspend the third-party payment system.
In an effort to mitigate the impact on insured patients, the syndicate has contacted CNAM to coordinate the processing of patient files and facilitate access to medications. Official modalities will be communicated once necessary information is received. This step aims to ensure that patients can continue to receive necessary medications despite the suspension.
The decision to suspend the third-party payment system reflects a deeper conflict between private pharmacies and CNAM over contractual commitments and financial issues. The syndicate's move highlights the challenges within Tunisia's healthcare system, particularly regarding the management of health insurance and pharmacy services. It remains to be seen how this situation will be resolved and what implications it will have for patients and healthcare providers.
The suspension of the third-party payment system will likely affect thousands of patients who rely on CNAM insurance to access medications. The situation underscores the need for a swift resolution between the syndicate and CNAM to minimize disruptions to healthcare services. Both parties must work together to find a solution that ensures the continuity of essential health services for insured patients.
Key points
- The Tunisian Syndicate of Private Pharmacy Owners suspends the third-party payment system for CNAM insured patients due to non-respect of contractual commitments.
