Moldovan government to earmark 135 million lei for compensated medicines

Chisinau, 14 May /MOLDPRES/- Prime Minister Chiril Gaburici today had a working meeting with representatives of Moldovan pharmaceutical companies and managers of drug deposits. The event was focused on assessing the current situation in the pharmaceutical sector, potential of adjusting to European standards on production and storage of medicinal products, as well as observing the national regulatory framework in the pharmaceutical activity, the government's communication and media relations department has reported.

The premier thanked the participants in the dialogue for their responsible attitude and solidarity in promoting the actions initiated by government, meant to overcome the drug crisis in early 2015.

"The early days as premier, I faced the problem on lack of medicines in Moldovan hospitals. This must not happen again, therefore, I invited you to an open and constructive dialogue. Together we will find solutions beneficial to citizens", he said.  

The talks were focused on reviewing policies in prices for medicines on local market. The premier noted that the Moldovan prices exceed by 50 per cent the ones for identical products in European states. 

Another issue on the agenda was related to the essential and compensated medicines. In 2015, the government will additionally earmark 135 million lei for supplementing the list of compensated drugs. The number of compensated drugs will increase from 90 to about 200.

At the same time, they agreed on the need to ensure a transparent framework to form the list of drugs of this category, as well as to promote a code of ethics of medicine.

For their part, the representatives of pharmaceutical sector asked the government for support in adjusting the national legal framework on the matter to European standards. Referring to the law on public procurement, they believe that it is very important to be taken into account not only the price criteria, but also quality.

The participants in the event also broached ceiling local producer price, opportunity to reduce trade margin on drugs, which, in Moldova, is 14.9 per cent, being higher than the average in many other European countries (it varies between 4 - 8 per cent).

Gaburici requested that the meetings with the representatives of pharmaceutical sector should have a continuous character, and if needed, should be convened immediately.

(Editor M. Jantovan)