Kuwait has approved new prices and reductions for 517 medicines and pharmaceutical products, bringing their cost below comparable prices elsewhere in the Gulf, according to the Ministry of Health.
Health Minister Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi issued the ministerial decision on Thursday.
The measure covers products being priced for the first time as well as medicines already available in Kuwait that will now cost less.
The latest decision takes the number of medicines and pharmaceutical products covered by pricing and price-reduction orders during the past three years to 2,760.
The price changes apply to several major treatment categories.
They include cancer medicines, new drugs used to lower cholesterol, treatments for epilepsy and allergies, painkillers, antibiotics and antifungal medicines.
Products that support people trying to stop smoking are also covered.
The Ministry of Health did not provide the individual names of the 517 products or state how much each medicine’s price would change.
The ministry said the decision followed technical evaluations and regular studies of medicine prices.
Officials compared costs in Kuwait with reference markets and examined pricing standards used elsewhere in the GCC and internationally.
The review was intended to establish competitive prices without changing requirements related to medicine quality, effectiveness and safety.
The ministry said its pricing policy seeks to keep treatment accessible while ensuring that medicines meet the required medical and pharmaceutical standards.
Lower prices are expected to reduce costs for patients and the wider healthcare system.
The decision also forms part of Kuwait’s efforts to maintain a stable supply of medicines and support the long-term operation of the country’s pharmaceutical sector.
The ministry said it would continue reviewing its medicine-pricing policies and strengthening oversight of the local pharmaceutical market.
Regulatory work will include checking that pharmacies and suppliers comply with approved prices.
The ministry said continued monitoring would help maintain market stability, improve access to treatment and reinforce Kuwait’s pharmaceutical security.