
Algeria has witnessed a dramatic surge in pharmaceutical spending, raising concerns over the long-term sustainability of its healthcare system—even as the country continues to assert itself as a regional leader in medicine production.
With 218 pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, Algeria stands out as a strategic hub on the African continent, accounting f
In 2024 alone, pharmaceutical reimbursements consumed 300 billion dinars of the CNAS’s 630 billion dinar social benefits budget—nearly half of all available funds.or over one-third of the 600 production sites identified across Africa.
This industrial growth has enabled the country to meet 79% of its domestic pharmaceutical demand, marking a significant step toward self-sufficiency.
Yet despite this progress, public health finances are under intense strain.
Abdelhafid Jeghri, head of benefits at the National Health Insurance Fund (CNAS), revealed staggering figures pointing to an alarming rise in drug-related expenditures.
These costs now surpass those associated with any other health insurance category, driven largely by the increasing number of patients suffering from chronic conditions.
Currently, 5.8 million out of 30 million insured individuals are being treated for long-term illnesses.
Faced with mounting financial pressure, Algerian health authorities are turning to digital innovation to improve efficiency.
The CNAS has rolled out a new generation of health cards equipped with advanced security technology, already distributed to 17 million patients managing chronic diseases.
These cards facilitate more rigorous tracking of medication usage and help curb inappropriate or fraudulent claims.
The reforms are part of a broader effort to strike a balance between safeguarding citizens’ social rights and ensuring the financial sustainability of the healthcare system.
Strengthened oversight mechanisms and modernized management platforms are at the heart of this strategy, aimed at improving cost control without sacrificing the quality of care.
Algeria’s challenge now lies in maintaining its leadership in pharmaceutical production while addressing the budgetary realities threatening the resilience of its health system.