Algeria spending more on medicines

In the first four months of this year, Algeria imported medicines for a total value of 720 million euros, Algerian Health Minister Djamel Ould Abbès announced. The minister has launched this reassuring message ahead of the month of Ramadan, a period in which people often complain about the low availability of basic needs, like medicines. Ould Abbès, speaking at an allergology conference, denied that there are any drugs shortages. This statement was confirmed by the data collected by his ministry. The minister added that a national plan for allergies will soon be presented to President Bouteflika. Algeria, he said, ''already has a national plan for respiratory diseases, but allergy is a new specialisation that requires special attention and new specialised training." (ANSAmed).