CAIRO: The Pharmacists' Syndicate is currently preparing a new draft law, Hatem Al-Gabaly, minister of health, announced Saturday, allowing pharmacies to supervise the production of medication. Mohamed Abdel Gawad, deputy chairman of the Pharmacists' Syndicate, told Daily News Egypt that he is personally involved in drafting the new law. The proposed law is meant to improve the reputation of locally-manufactured medication as well as preserve citizens' health, Al-Gabaly said during a ceremony marking the 29th annual Pharmacists' Day. Mahmoud Abdel Maqsoud, chairman of the Pharmacists' Syndicate, lauded Al-Gabaly's efforts during the recent conflict between the pharmacists and the Tax Authority. Abdel Maqsoud praised the ministry for "supporting us all the way. He, however, urged the ministry to issue a decree obliging public hospitals to sign an accord with pharmacists to regulate the types of medication they offer and their prices. Abdel Maqsoud expressed skepticism regarding medication sold for cheaper prices, referring to cheap medication sold by public medical insurance companies. Abdel Maqsoud said that the Pharmacists' Syndicate and the Ministry of Health should unite against any pharmacy that sells cheap medication because it tarnishes the profession's reputation. Abdel Maqsoud concluded by apologizing on behalf of all the pharmacists for the period during which they were on strike. Last Wednesday, the Pharmacists' Syndicate ended its two-day strike after the Ministry of Finance agreed not to implement new tax regulations for pharmacies retroactively. Pharmacies operated on normal work hours starting Wednesday morning. The finance ministry agreed to the demands of pharmacists, saying that new tax regulations will only be applied starting the 2008 tax year according to the decisions of a joint committee which will finalize the new agreement.
