On January 1, 2009, the government adopted a law banning imported generic pharmaceutical drugs and medical supplies for which Algerian manufacturers produce adequate amounts of equivalent products.  While this presents a market access barrier for American manufacturers of generic medicines, the ban does not include non-generics and is not a market access barrier for firms with patent-protected drugs.  For a list of prohibited products, most recently updated in 2015, please contact the Department of Commerce Desk Officer Thomas Blaubach at 202-482-6219; Thomas.Blaubach@trade.gov

.In addition to the trade barrier above, Algeria applies a value-added tax (VAT) to the sales of most goods, and VAT rates range from 7 to 19 percent, depending on the product.