Deficit of medicines explained

/By AzerNews/

By Nigar Orujova

The necessary work is carried out due to signals on disappearance of a number of medicines after introduction of a single price system, Deputy Prime Minister Ali Ahmadov told reporters on November 21.

This refers to medicines with a certain trade name, he added.

The government had decided to strengthen state control over the pharmaceutical market since March. The aim of the single price medicine project is to improve the level of medical services provided to the population and combating price gouging.

“There are medicines of identical composition, but different names. They are the same in terms of composition and quality. However, due to the fact that they are manufactured by different companies, their names are different,” said Ahmadov. “Apparently, citizens are accustomed to medicines with a specific name, which is understandable, and treat with some caution other medicines with the same composition.”

It will take some time to understand that the important thing is not the name but composition of the medicine, and then this problem will be solved, Ahmadov believes.

Azerbaijan has the necessary supply of medicines and would not face a shortage, the Deputy prime minister said in September.

To date, the Tariff Council has approved prices for 3,010 kinds of medicines, 1,151 of which have already being implemented according to the approved prices.

Prices for another 1,110 types of medicinal products will come into effect from December 1, and 749 medicines – since December 21. The process of price control on essential medicines in Azerbaijan is expected to be completed by the end of 2015.

The country has registered more than 4,500 brands of more than 20,000 types of medicine. The number of cost-controlled pharmaceuticals will increase in the future.

Today, 57 percent of medicines registered in Azerbaijan are produced in Europe, 26 percent in the CIS countries, including 12 percent made in Russia. A small share of medicines is produced in Asian countries.

All medicines imported to Azerbaijan are examined before reaching pharmacies and hospitals. The country bans the import of medicines into the country without a license, permission, or other relevant documents.