Pharmacies to Stop Applying Third-Party Payment System for Ordinary Illnesses Starting Monday, October 27, 2025
The Tunisian Pharmacy Union (Spot) announced this measure during an extraordinary general assembly held on Saturday, October 25. According to Mohamed Salah Kaddachi, the union's secretary general, the professional organization has also decided to suspend the application of the current sectoral agreement with the National Health Insurance Fund as of January 1, 2026.
In a statement to National Radio, Kaddachi warned that private pharmacies were ready to go on strike if measures were taken that would harm their economic interests. However, the union leader emphasized his organization's openness to dialogue in order to find permanent solutions that guarantee the viability of pharmacies and citizens' right to access medication.
The suspension of the third-party payment system will require patients to pay the full cost of pharmaceutical expenses before receiving a subsequent refund from their health insurance fund.
Key Points:
- The Tunisian Pharmacy Union (Spot) has announced the suspension of the third-party payment system for ordinary illnesses starting October 27, 2025.
- The union has also decided to suspend the current sectoral agreement with the National Health Insurance Fund as of January 1, 2026.
- Private pharmacies are ready to go on strike if their economic interests are harmed.
- The union is open to dialogue to find permanent solutions that guarantee the viability of pharmacies and citizens' right to access medication.
- Patients will be required to pay the full cost of pharmaceutical expenses before receiving a refund from their health insurance fund.
