'People will be harmed' as Lebanon cuts medicine subsidies


Customers buy medication inside a pharmacy in Beirut, Lebanon November 17, 2021. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Christine, a 28-year-old nurse in the Lebanese army, used to spend about a quarter of her salary on life-saving medication for her parents who both have severe heart conditions.

She was able to manage until Lebanon's cash-strapped government this week cut back subsidies on medicines. Now, she says the price tag will eat up her entire wage and that of her 65-year-old father, who works a night-time security job.

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