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Health Ministry approves 392 new drugs and supplements at lowest Gulf prices

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KUWAIT: Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi issued a ministerial decision Tuesday approving and pricing 392 new drugs, pharmaceutical products and nutritional supplements, selected from 1,580 reviewed over the past year, ensuring they are the cheapest in the Gulf region. In a press statement, the Ministry of Health said the move is part of an integrated strategic approach to balance patient’s interests with the sustainability of the pharmaceutical market.

The strategy involves periodic price list reviews and the adoption of high-quality, effective pharmaceutical alternatives to safeguard public health and maintain the efficiency of healthcare services. The new list includes modern drugs representing a qualitative leap across multiple therapeutic areas, addressing both daily and chronic patient needs. Approved treatments cover obesity, blood pressure, allergies, eye pressure, tumors and cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, migraines, influenza, as well as Mounjaro injections with updated packaging.

The decision also canceled several older drugs that have been replaced with more effective and cost-efficient alternatives. The new pricing system is based on Gulf and international reference prices and is subject to regular review by specialized technical committees monitoring global market developments to maintain price stability. The Ministry stressed that this approach ensures the availability of medicines at affordable prices without compromising quality while preserving the stability of the national pharmaceutical market in both public and private sectors.

The Ministry highlighted that this decision coincides with seven new ministerial directives issued this month to regulate the pharmaceutical sector in line with international standards. These directives aim to streamline medicine registration, ensure adherence to specified prices by companies and distributors, and enhance monitoring mechanisms — both field-based and electronic — to achieve transparency, sustainability and market control. According to the Ministry, the new measures have already contributed to lowering medicine prices and expanding treatment options for patients, within a balanced pharmaceutical policy that considers both efficiency and financial accessibility.

This decision follows a series of recent approvals and price reductions: last August, two decisions were issued reducing prices of 400 medicines and approving 144 new drugs; in May, prices for 69 medicines were approved alongside a reduction in Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) injections; in March, prices for 146 new medicines were approved, preceded by a July 2024 decision reducing prices of more than 200 medicines; and in May 2024, prices for 228 medicines and nutritional supplements were approved. — KUNA

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Prime Minister inspects Kuwait Cancer Control Center project

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KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, accompanied by Cabinet ministers, inspected Tuesday the new Kuwait Cancer Control Center (KCCC) project in Al-Sabah Health District, on the sidelines of the weekly cabinet meeting held at the project site. Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the center represents a qualitative leap in cancer patient care in the region and is part of the Ministry of Health’s strategy to develop specialized medical services according to the highest international standards.

Dr Al-Awadhi explained that the new center is designed as an integrated medical facility providing a comprehensive oncology treatment system, including blood disorders, specialized oncology surgery, radiotherapy and social services. The project will enhance the national health system’s capacity to provide advanced care within Kuwait, reducing the need for treatment abroad.

The 618-bed project comprises two medical towers, a central services building, and a parking facility accommodating around 1,950 vehicles. It includes modern operating rooms, intensive care units, and specialized suites for oncology treatment, radiotherapy and physiotherapy. The center is equipped with advanced medical and technical devices, including linear accelerators, CT and MRI simulators, radiology and nuclear medicine departments, central laboratories and a central pharmacy.

Dr Al-Awadhi noted that the project aligns with global standards in managing and operating specialized centers. He said the implementation supports the Ministry of Health’s vision to modernize medical infrastructure and expand hospital capacity in line with the National Development Plan and the “New Kuwait 2035” vision, making the center a model for integrating medical, scientific and research services in oncology.

He stressed the ministry’s commitment to completing health sector development projects to improve healthcare quality and services for citizens and residents, praising the national cadres involved in the project’s implementation. During the inspection, the Prime Minister and ministers were briefed on project details by Dr Al-Awadhi, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health Dr Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, Assistant Undersecretary for Engineering Affairs Ibrahim Al-Naham, and other ministry officials.

Breast cancer awareness

In another development, Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) launched Tuesday an awareness campaign titled “Your Awareness Now… Your Safety Tomorrow” as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities, aiming to promote women’s health and emphasize the importance of early and regular screenings. Chairman of the Society Khaled Al-Mughamis told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that October provides an annual opportunity to raise public awareness about breast cancer through education on prevention and early detection, which plays a critical role in improving recovery rates. He added that the society is committed to supporting health and social initiatives that serve Kuwaiti society, align with its humanitarian mission, and strengthen community engagement in promoting public health awareness.

The campaign, launched at The Avenues mall, features an awareness exhibition with the participation of KRCS volunteers, offering guidance on early examination and self-examination techniques, as well as distributing educational brochures to enhance health knowledge. Al-Mughamis expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health medical staff, KRCS volunteers and employees, and the management of The Avenues mall for their support in making the campaign a success. He emphasized that improving health awareness requires the collaborative efforts of both governmental and civil organizations to achieve a healthy and safe society. — KUNA

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Kuwait, Oman reaffirm ties | Kuwait Times Newspaper

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MUSCAT: HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and an accompanying delegation visited the Sultanate of Oman on Tuesday. HH the Amir was received on arrival by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and senior officials. HH the Amir was accompanied by Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Director General of Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority Dr Sheikh Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Chief of HH the Amir’s Office Rtd Lt Gen Jamal Theyab, Deputy Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation Sheikh Nawaf Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah and Managing Director of Kuwait Investment Authority Sheikh Saud Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah.

HH the Amir and Sultan Haitham held a meeting at Al-Baraka Palace in Muscat, during which the two leaders discussed the long-standing bilateral relations between Kuwait and Oman and ways to strengthen cooperation across various fields, particularly in the economic sector, aiming to enhance trade and investment coordination and integration to reinforce mutual interests and achieve further progress and prosperity. Sultan Haitham then held a banquet at Al-Baraka Palace in honor of HH the Amir and his accompanying delegation before they departed Oman.

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HH the Amir later sent a cable to Sultan Haitham, expressing gratitude towards the great hospitality he received during his fraternal visit to the sultanate. In the cable, HH the Amir said that he felt the Omani leadership and people’s great hospitality, affirming that it was another milestone in the historic relations between the two brotherly nations. HH the Amir also lauded the deep-rooted ties between the two countries and peoples, wishing the Sultan well-being and for the sultanate further progress and prosperity. – KUNA

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Euromoney crowns Boursa Kuwait best Mideast exchange

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KUWAIT: In recognition of its leading role in enhancing liquidity and transparency, bolstering investor confidence and adopting the highest standards of governance and sustainability in the Kuwaiti capital market, Boursa Kuwait was crowned as the Middle East’s best stock exchange in 2025 at the inaugural Capital Markets Awards, organized by Euromoney in collaboration with the Arab Federation of Capital Markets (AFCM).

The Capital Markets Awards extends the Awards for Excellence prestigious recognition to a new range of market participants, including securities exchanges and venues, brokerage houses and broker-dealers (both bank, independent and agency) and post-trade service providers.

Being named the Middle East’s best exchange is a proud milestone for Boursa Kuwait and a global testament to the success of its strategy to develop the Kuwaiti capital market and reinforce its position as a leading regional hub capable of attracting investments from around the world. It also reflects the exchange’s firm commitment to enhancing market liquidity and transparency, strengthening investor confidence and trust and furthering the role of the capital market in supporting the long-term growth and diversification of the national economy. 

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