Gov't to control drug prices
By Amina Nazarli
The drug prices registered officially will be regulated by the government in Azerbaijan.
To this end, the Law on Medicine Act has been amended by the Azerbaijani Parliament, which held its plenary session on December 16. Due to a sharp increase in drug prices, the Azerbaijani Parliament decided to make some amendments on the law.
Tariffs for medicine examinations as well as prices of drugs will be carried out by relevant executive authorities according to the amendment.
The Law on Medicine Act is the main document in the pharmaceutical market in Azerbaijan, adopted in 2007.This law regulates the legal and organizational activities related to medical products in the country and also revises the relations in this sphere.
Hadi Rajabli, the Chairman of the Committee on Social policy of the Azerbaijani Parliament, informed the MPs about the changes and noted that it is very serious issue in the country and that’s why their costs should be regulated by the government.
He said some pharmacies often sell their drugs at a higher price. “That’s why the drug prices should be adjusted by the government, so that citizens do not fall victims to fraud,” he stressed.
However, MP Zahid Oruj opposed this decision noting that this step can damage the competition in the medicine market.
“This decision may prompt citizens to purchase drugs from neighboring countries,” the MP warned.
MP Vahid Ahmadov, in turn, called for the introduction of an upper limit for the medicine price.
“The term “drugs that have passed state registration” is incorrect. It means that those drugs, which are not included in the state register list may be sold at any price” he noted, offering to keep the project for further discussions.
Earlier the Azerbaijani Economy and Industry Minister said that regulation of drug prices will promote their delivery at lower prices. The Tariff (Price) Council will determine 5-10 countries to import drugs. On the basis of manufacturers’ prices, the drug prices for Azerbaijan will be set.
Prescribed drugs will be sold at the lowest prices established in the certain countries than non-prescription medicines, whose prices will be higher. Approved prices will be published on the packaging of medicines.
All medicines imported to Azerbaijan are checked up before reaching pharmacies and hospitals. Azerbaijan bans import of drugs to the country without a license, permission or other relevant documents.