Drug imports at over US$160m

The value of drugs imported into Moldova rose from US$7 million in 2005 to US$160 million in 2009, Minister of Health Vladimir Hotineanu said in a Government meeting centering on the pharmaceutical market, Info-Prim Neo reports. In a communique, the Government says that 22 companies produce drugs in Moldova. The national production covers 10% of the needs. The other medications are imported from over 50 countries through the agency of 72 authorized importers. Vladimir Hotineanu said numerous violations of the regulations concerning the keeping of drugs and fraudulent schemes were identified during the carried out inspections. Some of the drugs in Moldova are several times more expensive than in the neighboring states. New regulations on the formation and control of the prices of drugs are now being worked out. Under them, the producer, at the start of every year, will make public the prices of drugs in lei, not in foreign currency so as to prevent the modification of prices during the year. Prime Minister Vlad Filat said the new regulations should ensure access to drugs of a high quality sold at reasonable prices.