WHO should address pharmaceutical products high prices in developing countries, Moroccan minister

Moroccan minister of health, Thami Khyari, called the World Health Organization (WHO) to address the problem of pharmaceutical products high prices in developing countries.

Khyari who is attending the 48th session of the World Health Organization regional committee for the Eastern Mediterranean -- held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, September 30 through October 3- said the topic should be at the focus of the WHO interest.

He explained how developing countries find it difficult to access some drugs because of the price and deplored the fact that pharmaceutical companies often stop manufacture cheap drugs.

The Moroccan official also deplored the drain of medical staff to richer countries in view of these countries' deficit in medical and para-medical personnel. Khyari equally surveyed the impact of violence on health systems, dwelling on the case of the Palestinian people.

The session is discussing the Annual Report of the Regional Director for the year 2000, the Proposed Program Budget (2004-2005) and the report of the Regional Consultative Committee (25th Meeting)

It is discussing a set of other documents related to mental health AIDS in the eastern Mediterranean region, a report on tobacco-free initiative, a progress report on eradication of poliomyelitis and a progress report on the role of WHO in emergencies and disasters.

The session is also to look into a progress report on flour fortification in the eastern Mediterranean region, review the proposed Program Budget (2004-2005) and designate Member States for the eastern Mediterranean region to the WHO Executive Board.

Other topics deal with promotion of healthy lifestyles in the Region, health and medical informatics in the Region, Violence control, and renewed health research for development in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Delegates of some 20 countries are taking part in the session.