Companies that supply medical equipments to public hospitals and university hospitals have been waiting for the payment of the medical products purchased for a long time. Although a payment of around 7 billions Turkish Liras (TL) has been made to the sector in the past days, the receivables of the sector have not been completely exhausted. In addition to the receivables of the sector, the last price update of the public, which determines the prices of medical supplies, made 2 years ago continues to cause great damage to the supply of new products in the sector.
“LATE PAYMENT OF DEBTS AND OLD PRICES DAMAGE THE SECTOR SERIOUSLY”
Pointing out that the payments made to the medical sector are only a part of the debts until 2021, Orthopedics and Spine Surgery Medical Equipment Manufacturers, Importers and Exporters Association (ORDER) President Adem Uyanık stated that the public still owes the sector. Uyanık stated that the sector has a great problem due to the late payment of their receivables from the public, and that public institutions that purchase medical supplies do not have to pay a price. He underlined that due to the lack of updates, the sector has even more difficulty in supplying medical supplies.
“SECTOR AND PATIENTS' VICTIMIZATIONS ARE CORRECTED BY REGULATION”
Indicating that the only problem of the sector is not that the prices are not up-to-date, Uyanık noted that many companies have problems with the lack of a clear payment plan after the sales to the public, adding, “Realistic prices should be determined and the payments of the purchased materials should be scheduled. It should be applied systematically in price increases. If these can be provided, it will provide a solution to the grievances of both patients and the sector. These regulations are essential for the continuity and development of the sector,” he said.
“PRICES MUST BE UPDATED IN REAL MANNER TO AVOID VICTIMIZATION”
Underlining that some of the medical supplies are produced in Turkey but some are imported, and that they are affected by the fluctuations in exchange rates in today's conditions, "The prices of medical supplies were last updated 2 years ago. A new price has not been determined in the period that has passed. The only price determinant public side should address this issue. If this cannot be achieved, the effect of the already broken supply chain will grow even more. Already, orthopedics, knee and hip surgeries cannot be performed in public hospitals and university hospitals, and patients are confined to private hospitals. They have to make serious payments to private hospitals. Prices should be updated in real terms for both patient victimization and the survival of the sector,” Uyanık added.