12 Jan 2010

Drug prices in Fiji double says new survey

10:34 am on 12 January 2010

The price of many drugs in Fiji has doubled or even tripled in the past two years according to a new survey.

The Fiji Consumer Council has compared the price for the most common drugs, including for diabetes, hypertension and heart disease from 2007 to 2009.

Fijilive quotes the council's chief executive, Premila Kumar, as saying that the diabetes drug Metmorfin sold for 1.6 US cents a tablet in 2007, but now costs 4.2 US cents.

Ms Kumar says consumers will continue to fork out excessive amounts unless there is fair play and true competition in Fiji.