The Ministry of Health and Population agreed on raising market prices for medicines produced by the private and public sectors, according to a government source speaking to Al Mal. The Central Administration of Pharmaceutical Affairs (CAPA) and the pricing committee agreed on raising prices of 60 drugs between 100-500% in two weeks, and includes: antibiotics, gastrointestinal drugs, eye, nose and ear drops, where 40 out of the 60 drugs, representing 70%, are produced by Holdipharma companies. The Minster of Health agreed on raising prices for those drugs after reviewing the studies presented by companies revealing the losses incurred on those drugs, and the market shortage for those products due to stopping their production and import. According to the Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industries, losses incurred by pharmaceutical companies have led to the disappearance of 1,471 drugs, where 366 of which have no substitutes. The government has earlier agreed on rising prices, in January and February 2016, for 24 medicines that were sold for less the EGP10. (Al Mal)