Azernews.Az

By Nigar Abbasova

The government of Azerbaijan is drafting a special program to prevent uplift in prices in the consumer market of the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Ali Ahmadov said that the government aims to eliminate influence of the price hikes on living standards of its citizens.

“We observe a certain increase in prices. Of course, we admit it. However, I do think that there is no reason to suppose that the current tendency in prices will affect the poverty level,” he told reporters on February 8.

As of late 2016, the inflation in Azerbaijan amounted to 12.4 percent, according to the official data. Foodstuff prices rose some 14.7 percent, nonfoods – 16.7 percent and payable services – almost 5.8 percent.

Commenting on current situation in the pharmaceuticals market, Ahmadov said that there is no deficiency in medical products.

“The fact that certain drugs are not on sale in certain pharmacies, does not imply that these drugs are absent in the country,” he said.

“So far, the country has been importing medicines. For the time being, we do not have our own production but we intend to launch it. Therefore, for now, we should put up with the fact that medicines are being delivered from abroad. However, I want to mention that the situation is not critical and we carry out certain measures for supply of all medicines,” he said.

Import of drugs to the country increased some 20 percent in 2016 as compared to 2015, with some 80 percent of drugs being imported from the European countries and the remaining part falling to a share of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

Within the next three years, a number of pharma plants will be put in operation in the country.

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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

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