Moldovan cabinet approves draft law to stimulate competition in pharmaceutical sector

Chisinau, 8 February /MOLDPRES/ - The cabinet of ministers at a today’s meeting approved a draft, according to which three paragraphs are to be excluded from an article of the law on pharmaceutical activity. According to the Health Ministry, these paragraphs limit competition in this field.    

The provisions, according to which the newly created drug stores (branches) can be placed at a distance of at least 250 metres from the existing drug store (branch) and at a distance of at least 500 metres (accessible way) from the existing drug store with duties of making extemporary preparations, are to be excluded from the concerned law. Also, the government proposes to exclude a paragraph stipulating that “a drug store is set up for a number from 3,000 to 4,000 residents” or that drug stores “will be created according to the National Plan of Drug Stores’ Placement.”  

By the signing of the Association Agreement, Moldova took the commitment before the principles of free market economy; thus, among the needed actions, it is necessary to adjust the national provisions to the EU acquis. The provisions scheduled to be cancelled “restrict the competition on market, especially those on providing exclusive rights,” the Health Ministry said.

The ministry worked out a draft “aimed at excluding anti-competition obstacles in the pharmaceutical sector, which will have a positive impact on citizens’ access to medicines and will ensure the favourable work for operators of the medication market.” The document’s authors emphasize, for instance, that the setting up of new drug stores according to a national plan on placement of drug stores runs counter also the goals of the regulation policy stipulated in the law on the basic principles of regulating the entrepreneurial activity.   

The draft law approved by the cabinet is to be submitted to parliament for consideration.  

(Reporter V. Bercu, editor M. Jantovan)