Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a consultative meeting to discuss the problems faced on the domestic of pharmaceuticals and the possibilities for their solution. The meeting was attended by the heads of the agencies concerned and private sector representatives.

“We have received different indications about the situation on the pharmaceutical market. Either the Audit Chamber has received indications to that effect. The Government has recently adopted several decisions to streamline the drug market, hoping that at least we could address the bulk of the problems faced in this area. The topic and reason for today’s meeting is to understand what are the problems solved so far, what has to be done ahead, and whether there are any primary challenges still missing on our agenda,” Prime Minister Pashinyan said.

In particular, the meeting reviewed the factors affecting drug prices, tax administration, problems associated with the wholesale and retail sales of drugs, the possibility of distinguishing between wholesale and retail operations, the storage of drugs in customs warehouses, as well as the fight against illicit drug trafficking and other issues.

A number of proposals and recommendations were voiced during the exchange of views that followed. The Prime Minister told Minister of Healthcare Arsen Torosyan to set up a platform for regular discussions with the stakeholders concerning the drug market regulations.

“The purpose of our discussions is to bring down prices on the drug market. We should seek lower market prices without neglecting the safety standards,” the Prime Minister concluded and instructed Arsen Torosyan to report back the results of follow-up discussions.