New law to improve quality and reduce price of medications, says Healthcare Minister

YEREVAN, MAY 18, ARMENPRESS. Healthcare Minister of Armenia Armen Muradyan says the prices of medications will be reduced after the adoption of the new law on drugs.

“For the first time it is fixed by law that the state will interfere in the medication market in Armenia. That is, the state will begin a process of regulating medications reimbursed by the Ministry of Healthcare. This process will not only change the situation in terms of quality, but will also lead to toughening of the system. Administrative fines for unregistered medications, or fake medications will be toughened, which will lead to reduction of prices and improvement of quality”, the Minister said.

He added the law will give the opportunity to tackle monopolies in the medication market.

Asked why the prices of drugs are lower in Georgia compared to Armenia, the Minister said: “It is simple; there is no VAT on medications in Georgia. Besides, transportation routes for import of medications are more convenient in Georgia. Medications are imported to Armenia by air, whereas in Georgia, by sea or by land”, he said.