An urgent proposal calling for swift action to end monopolies in the supply and marketing of essential and life-saving medicines was unanimously approved by MPs yesterday.
It has been urgently referred to the Cabinet for review amid growing concerns over patient safety, pricing and national drug security.
The proposal was submitted by five MPs, led by services committee vice-chairman Abdulwahid Abdulaziz Qarata.
Mr Qarata warned that reliance on a single agent or supplier for critical medicines poses a serious threat to public health and the stability of the pharmaceutical market.
“The health of citizens must not be held hostage to monopolistic practices,” Mr Qarata said. “When a life-saving medicine depends on one supplier, any disruption – technical, logistical or commercial – can immediately put thousands of patients at risk.”
The proposal urges the government to diversify sources of essential medicines to ensure uninterrupted supply and strengthen national drug security, particularly during emergencies and crises.
MPs behind it highlighted that exclusive possession or control of the supply arrangements can lead to shortages, treatment interruptions and unjustified price increases, placing additional pressure on both citizens and the state’s healthcare budget.
“The absence of competition opens the door to unfair pricing,” Mr Qarata said. “This burdens patients and increases costs for the government, while competition would help stabilise prices and guarantee availability.”
The proposal also raises concerns that dependence on a single supplier weakens Bahrain’s ability to respond effectively during health emergencies, when access to vital medicines becomes a matter of national security rather than market convenience.
“Drug security is no longer just a commercial issue – it is a strategic one,” Mr Qarata stressed. “In times of crisis, the ability to provide essential medicines is as important as any other national resource.”
Parliamentarians further noted that monopolistic practices may conflict with principles of fair competition and Bahrain’s international commitments related to healthcare access and market regulation.
The referral to the Cabinet places responsibility on the executive branch to study the proposal and take appropriate regulatory and policy measures.
“Our aim is simple,” Mr Qarata said, “and that is to guarantee continuous access to safe, affordable medicines for every patient in Bahrain, without interruption and without exploitation.
“The move is also expected to reignite wider debate on pharmaceutical regulation, competition policy and long-term strategies to safeguard Bahrain’s healthcare system against supply shocks and market dominance.”
Parliament also unanimously approved the following scheduled proposals and referred them to the Cabinet for review:
* To significantly expand the use of artificial intelligence across ministries and government bodies, as part of a wider drive to modernise public services, boost efficiency and strengthen transparency
* Appoint specialised sports coaches in Bahrain’s schools, aimed at identifying and nurturing athletic talent from an early age
* Introduce a vocational apprenticeship system into Bahrain’s public and private education sectors
* Increase the number of government apartments allocated to divorced, abandoned, widowed and single women
* Localise legal consultancy jobs and tackle rising unemployment among law graduates.
Meanwhile, an urgent proposal to establish a youth centre in Janabiya was presented by five MPs led by Dr Muneer Suroor was postponed due to time constraints.
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