“Sooner or later”, prices rise. Because of the war in Iran, because of inflation, because of pressure from the USA.
Fuel prices have already risen because of the war in Iran. The next sector affected by the war in Iran could be the medications.
Medicine prices in Portugal they will have to rise “sooner or later”, warns the president of the Pharmaceutical Industry Association (APIFARMA).
“Oil has a huge impact on transportation and energy, which ends up causing inflation; but also on petroleum derivativeslike plastic, glass, aluminum – they will inevitably rise in price”, he warned, in. Plastic, glass and aluminum are essential components in the production of medicines.
Furthermore, he recalled that the Europe has “substantially lower” prices than the US – and most innovative medicines come from the USA.
In other words, medicines will become more expensive, “on the one hand because of inflation and what it entails, and on the other hand for political pressure” from the USAso that prices in Europe are more similar to prices in the US.
There may also be breaks supply of medicines, albeit on a punctual basis. Therefore, “regulators will have to admit price changes more quickly to avoid shortages”.
The president of APIFARMA argues that the value chain, even so, will resist sudden price increases.
João Almeida Lopes is yet another person responsible for suggesting that the Government of Portugal should look at what it is doing, to stop the rise in energy prices: “We could have a relatively similar policy”.
