The Tunisian Union of Private Pharmacy Owners has announced the suspension of the third-party payer regime in favor of CNAM affiliates, effective from tomorrow, Sunday, November 1, 2026.
In a statement addressed to public opinion, the union explained that this decision comes as a result of “the persistence of the fund’s shortcomings in meeting its contractual commitments and the absence of concrete solutions to guarantee the continuity of this service.” It clarified that after the decision to suspend the third-party payer system taken by its broadened national body, which met on October 27, 2026, the union extended its waiting period until the end of the current week, “in the hope of seeing the situation remedied, but without result,” according to the statement.
The union believes that this measure has become necessary to preserve the continuity of pharmaceutical services and to maintain the ability of pharmacies to source medicines and make them available to patients. It emphasizes that drug supply now requires pharmacists to make increasing efforts, in a context marked by persistent shortages and procurement difficulties.
It also recalled that its national office had informed, as of October 19, 2026, CNAM as well as all concerned parties of the impossibility of continuing the application of the third-party payer regime without honoring contractual commitments and settling the sums owed.
The union further stated that “this crisis is worsening under the weight of heavy tax pressure weighing on private pharmacy owners, the persistence of ignorance of the structural problems of the profession, the non-respect for the laws governing the sector and the absence of initiatives aimed at regulating activities and unregulated practices.” It expressed regrets regarding the disruptions that this situation could cause in access to health services.
Finally, the union indicated that it had sent a letter to CNAM in order to coordinate the modalities of processing its affiliates’ files and to facilitate their access to medications. Official information will be communicated as soon as it is received.
