Ensuring Uninterrupted Dental Anesthesia: A Commitment to Supply Security and Independence from French Products
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- In a resolute stance, the Minister of Industry and Pharmaceutical Production, Ali Aoun, dismissed claims of a shortage of dental anesthesia and affirmed that there will be no compromise on French products. The Minister’ statement comes in response to recent controversy surrounding the availability of dental anesthesia, a crucial product for dental practices.
“The goods have been received. Dental practices willing to work have been supplied. Those awaiting French products should exercise patience until the end of the year,” Minister Aoun declared, dispelling rumors of scarcity. This statement from the minister clarifies a contentious issue that has been brewing for several months.
The saga began in April when the Council of the Order of Dentists brought to attention the absence of this essential product. Dr. Mohamed Dib, the President of the Council, had revealed a widespread shortage a month before Ramadan. Responding promptly, the authorities took swift action.
Sources reveal that the shortage emerged due to the French supplier’s excessive price hike proposal. With the Spanish supplier unavailable, the French counterpart sought to inflate the box price from $9 to $30. Initially, Minister Ali Aoun’s department procured 100,000 boxes to address the situation.
To definitively resolve the matter, the Ministry of Industry and Pharmaceutical Production decided to initiate local production. Three approvals were granted for this purpose, involving strategic partnerships: The Benejct production unit partnered with a French entity in Oran, the Health Group unit collaborated with a Tunisian partner in Koléa, and the Biovital unit formed an alliance with an Indian partner in Batna.
Despite these efforts, the Council of the Order of Dentists maintains that the anesthesia issue still persists. While acknowledging the government’s program to acquire the product, Dr. Dib noted that it was being distributed in limited quantities, which did not effectively mitigate the ongoing problem. “Although we received a few boxes, it remains inadequate,” stated Dr. Dib in a statement to Algeria Today.
Interestingly, the Tunisian product’s distribution remains enigmatic, with availability solely in Batna. Though a few counters had limited stocks, the majority were concentrated in Batna, leaving the rationale behind this distribution strategy unclear. Dr. Dib emphasized that, regardless of preferences, the French product continues to dominate the market. “Whether we like it or not, the French product retains its position as the market leader,” he concluded.
