SOHR exclusive | Noticeable increase in medicine prices in SDF-controlled areas over taxes at regime checkpoints and collapse of Syrian currency
SOHR sources have reported noticeable increase in prices of medicine in areas controlled by the Autonomous Administration in north and east Syria over imposition of levies and taxes at crossings of regime forces, especially the 4th Division. In addition, regime forces failed to secure US dollars to factories producing medicines and companies importing raw materials of medicines. Moreover, costs of transportation of medicines from regime forces to areas controlled by the Autonomous Administration. All those factors have resulted in the increase of medicines brought from regime-controlled areas to SDF-controlled areas in north and east Syria.
Regime government had secured US dollars for medicine factories at nearly 3,200 SYP per dollar. Recently, the US dollar is sold to medicine factories in the Central Bank at 4,500 SYP, as the regime has failed to secure US dollars in light of the deteriorating economic situation.
Speaking to SOHR, a pharmacist known by his initials as S. H. from Al-Hasakah city says, “the prices of some medicines have been increased by 65 % up to 100 %. Also, the prices of vitamins have been increased by nearly 60%. This followed the Central Bank’s decision to raise the exchange of the Syrian lira against the US dollar to 4,500 SYP. Patients say that they are forced to buy medicines. However, they buy fewer kinds and doses in light of the poor purchasing power. It is expected that the increase of prices will continue, and the residents will have no options but accepting the new prices.”
Here are the new prices of some kinds of medicines:
- Vitamins: From 9,000 SYP to nearly 17,000 SYP.
- Suppository: From 3,000 SYP to 5,000 SYP.
- Injection: 10,000 SYP.
- Augmentin: From 8,500 SYP to 14,000 SYP.
- Ogmacil: 10,000 SYP.
Speaking to SOHR, a woman known by her initials as M. A. from Al-Salihiyah neighbourhood in Al-Hasakah city says, “residents are being hit by successive crises and successive increase in the prices of food and basic products, the latest of which was the increase in the price of medicines; this affected the health conditions of my parents who suffer from hypertension and stomach diseases. I do not know how I can secure the money needed to my parents’ medicines. On the other hand, owners of pharmacies have justified the increase in the prices of medicines by the ongoing freefall of the Syrian currency. In general, the living conditions have become dreadful in north-east Syria.”
It is worth noting that regime-controlled areas have experienced a similar stifling crisis which is manifested in high prices and acute shortage of medicines and infant formula at pharmacies, as well as the closure of many factories, amid inaction by regime government which mishandle the chronic crises in areas under its control, mainly the deteriorating living conditions.