Faced with the decision of the Union of Community Pharmacists to suspend third-party payment, the National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM) announced the continuation of the system in order to guarantee continuity of access to medicines for those with social insurance.
The CNAM reassures policyholders and pharmacies
The CNAM confirmed, Tuesday October 28, 2025, the maintenance of the third-party payment system in force with pharmacies. This decision aims to ensure the continuity of the delivery of medicines to socially insured people “under the best conditions”, according to the press release published by the institution.
Exceptionally, members of the private healthcare scheme will continue to benefit from reimbursement of costs linked to the purchase of medicines for ordinary illnesses, in accordance with the usual procedures.
Reaction to the decision of the Pharmacists’ Union
This announcement comes after the unilateral decision of the Tunisian Union of Community Pharmacists (STPO), dated October 25, to suspend the third-party payment system for ordinary illnesses from October 27 and not to renew the agreement for 2026.
The CNAM recalled that this union decision had been taken outside the deadlines and legal procedures provided for by the sectoral agreement binding the two parties. In response, it adopted exceptional measures to protect the rights of policyholders and avoid any disruption of service in the medicines supply chain.
A measure of stability in a tense context
Maintaining third-party payment, a key mechanism of the Tunisian health system, allows affiliated patients not to advance the cost of medicines covered by the CNAM. This decision aims to preserve the balance of the system and avoid a crisis of confidence between pharmacists, patients and the health insurance fund.
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