The League of HIV-Infected People of Moldova expressed its concern that the prices of drugs used in antiretroviral treatment may rise if Moldova joins the European Union. In a roundtable meeting, the organization’s head Igor Chilcevschi said the drugs may get dearer by 10-20%, while the state will not be able to cover all the costs for purchasing patented drugs as they are very expensive. On the other hand, the experts assure that this will not happen, IPN reports.

Igor Chilcevschi said that the HIV-infected persons are issued gratis with generic drugs bought by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS at advantageous prices. But, when Moldova joins the EU, it will purchase only patented drugs from producers whose price is very high.

HIV program director of the unit for the coordination, implementation and monitoring of the health system restructuring project Svetlana Plamadeala said there are no reasons for concern as the Global Fund will continue to buy antiretroviral drugs. Next year, the Global Fund will supply drugs to all the HIV-infected patients involved in the treatment until the end of this year by increasing the budget from €700,000 to €800,000.

UNDP expert on healthcare and human rights Arcadie Astrahan said the Government of Moldova pledged to provide with drugs about 650 HIV-infected persons identified recently starting with January 1, 2014. Discussions are held with representatives of the EU for maintaining the current prices of drugs for antiretroviral treatment.

In the first half of 2013, in Moldova there were 8,250 HIV-infected persons, 104 of whom were aged between 0 and 15, while 404 – between 15 and 24. The others were adults aged over 25. As many as 35 pregnant women were HIV-infected. A patient with HIV receives annually antiretroviral drugs to the value of US$200 to US$800.