Medicines intended for free or heavily subsidised public distribution are increasingly appearing in private pharmacies and clinics, raising concerns over governance and financial losses in Ethiopia’s health sector, the Ministry of Health has confirmed.

Arada FM reports that drugs for tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV, as well as nutritional supplements labelled “Not for Sale,” are circulating in private markets at inflated prices. Officials warn that these diversions not only put vulnerable populations at risk but also drain public resources intended for life-saving treatments.

The ministry said the illegal sales often occur through intermediaries who exploit gaps in the supply chain, sometimes with the complicity of licensed professionals. The scale of the problem is thought to be significant, particularly in urban areas where demand and purchasing power allow private actors to profit from medicines intended for the poor.

Authorities are reportedly considering stricter monitoring, legal enforcement, and reforms to the distribution system, while strengthening accountability and transparency across the pharmaceutical supply chain to ensure that subsidised medicines reach the populations that need them most.