Hala el-Housseini, "Akhbar al-Yawm" agency

A Legislative Proposal to Support Owners of War-Damaged Pharmacies..Here Are the Details!

 
It is likely that parliamentary committees will regain momentum and resume their activities immediately after the formation of the government, following a forced hiatus due to the prevailing circumstances in the country.

The parliament is awaiting the government formation, after which it will hold sessions to discuss the ministerial statement in preparation for granting confidence. This will pave the way for a comprehensive legislative and governmental workshop, particularly given the presence of numerous draft laws and proposals requiring review and approval by parliamentary committees before being referred to the general assembly for ratification. Among these are several financial, economic, and social reform projects, including initiatives related to the reconstruction of structures destroyed by the recent Israeli aggression on Lebanon—most notably, the draft law introduced by Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s government for the reconstruction of damaged buildings.

According to parliamentary sources cited by the "Akhbar Al-Yawm" agency, this legislative effort will also encompass the banking sector’s restructuring, financial stabilization, and securing depositors’ rights. Additionally, a new parliamentary election law will be drafted to better reflect the current reality, alongside the approval of several health and pharmaceutical-related legislative proposals.

In this context, MP Fadi Alameh submitted a draft law on December 18 aimed at regulating the operation of pharmacies that were partially or entirely destroyed due to the Israeli aggression. The proposal has been referred to the Parliamentary Committees on Public Health and Administration for review, with discussions expected to commence in the coming weeks.

The proposed amendment to the Pharmacy Practice Law seeks to grant affected pharmacists the right to resume their profession or establish an alternative branch in place of their original premises. This is particularly crucial given the significant number of pharmacies damaged during the war, making it imperative to provide pharmacists with an opportunity to continue their practice and secure their livelihoods.

Sources within the Health Committee indicate that this proposal serves the interests of a large segment of citizens—namely, pharmacists. While further examination is required, there is a general inclination toward its approval.