Medical experts have asked the Government to regulate prices of medicines in order to increase accessibility for the poor.
A pharmacist picks drugs to dispense
“Some medicines are over priced and yet price is the major barrier to access of essential medicines by the poor leading to increased death rates,” Dr. Isaac Kajja said.
Kajja is an orthopedic surgeon and senior lecturer in the department of Orthopedics at Makerere University College of Health Sciences.
He made the remarks during the launch of orthopedic products including hip and knee implants at Fairway Hotel recently.
Kajja that compared to orthopedic products from the UK and US, the newly launched Indian hip and knee replacements are durable and cost effective adding that they will benefit the average patient.
“The available knee and hip Implants have been so expensive. Patients have been parting with about $3200 (about sh8.3m) to have replacements. But with the coming of Indian implants, at my patients have cause to smile,” Kajja said.
Kajja urged Government to partner with major stakeholders like dealers in pharmaceuticals, World Health Organisation and medical experts to advocate access to safe and affordable medicines.
According to Dr. K H Sancheti, the chief orthopaedic surgeon at Sancheti Hospital in India, Ugandans will pay between $1900 (about sh4.8m) and $2000 (about sh5.1m) for the implants.
Sancheti said these products have been tested and used in Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania and Sudan.
By Abou Kisige, The New Vision
