Pharmacists Express Concern Over Sector Crisis

The suspension of payments by CNAM has plunged the pharmaceutical sector into crisis, with pharmacists denouncing a collapse in revenue. The halt of payments directly affects patient access to care and threatens the viability of pharmacies. A situation that raises questions about the stability of Tunisia's healthcare system. ⏱️ 1 min of reading. The facts and recent developments. This crisis is part of a broader context of public finance failures. CNAM, which relies on state subsidies and mutual fund contributions, has faced budgetary difficulties since 2020, worsened by the pandemic and inflation. In 2023, the government launched a revival plan, but payment delays persist. Experts highlight that the third-party payment mechanism, a key tool for financing care, has become a lever of political and economic pressure, at the expense of patients. In the Mediterranean region, Tunisia stands out as a case study. Healthcare systems in Greece, Turkey, or Egypt face similar tensions, with payment delays and budget deadlocks. In Tunisia, this situation threatens not only access to medicines but also citizens' trust in the state. 'If the crisis doesn't stop, we risk seeing patients abandon care,' warns a specialist doctor. Authorities face a dilemma: reform the healthcare financing system or let the sector deteriorate. The coming weeks will be decisive. ⚡ Key points ▸ Tunisian pharmacies are experiencing a 50% drop in revenue, with 45% at risk of closure ▸ The third-party payment crisis reveals structural flaws in public finance management and resource distribution ▸ Tunisia is becoming a Mediterranean case study for the fragility of healthcare systems facing budget deadlocks. Negotiations between CNAM, mutuals, and the government