Burkina Faso: Price reductions for essential generic products. Citizens welcome the government's decision

Following the Council of Ministers meeting on Thursday, February 12, 2026, the government approved a decision to lower the prices of certain essential generic products. The measure will take effect on March 1, 2026. Citizens interviewed on the ground welcomed this decision.

According to the Minister of Health, Dr. Robert Kargougou, this measure aims to reduce household healthcare expenses. Its implementation will cost the State approximately 3 billion FCFA, directly benefiting the population.

In detail, the announced and significant reductions include, among others, 53% for injectable products, 67% for tablets, 72% for medical consumables and approximately 20% for syrups, the minister specified.

In Ouagadougou, the measure is widely appreciated. " We learned of this decision with great joy, because health and nutrition are essential. If people can access healthcare more easily, we can only be happy, " says Aboubacar Cissé, a football coach.

For Ousseni Ouédraogo, a pastor, this decision is a real relief for the poorest people, especially internally displaced persons.

“ This is a welcome development. We thank the government for thinking of the majority of the population who lack the means. When eating is already difficult, getting medical care is even more so. This reduction will truly allow parents to fulfill their duty ,” he confided.

He adds that he personally benefited from the reduction in certain healthcare costs. " Even with regard to vaccines, particularly the rabies vaccine, I noticed a significant reduction. My daughter was bitten by a dog and, as an internally displaced person, it was a shock. But at the hygiene service, the price was very low, which allowed me to get my daughter vaccinated without difficulty ," he explains.

Nadège Ouédraogo also welcomes the initiative. " It's a good decision. Reducing the prices of health products will help many people to get better healthcare, " she says happily.

For his part, Jean Yaméogo, a private sector actor, believes that the measure will help reduce the financial difficulties associated with accessing medication. " This decision reinforces efforts to provide healthcare, in a context marked by the high cost of living and the daily realities of the population ," he states.

Overall, the government's decision is welcomed by all citizens surveyed. However, this price reduction will not be implemented until March 1, 2026.