INTRODUCTION OF GMP SYSTEM IN ARMENIA TO CONTRIBUTE TO GROWTH OF MEDICINE EXPORTS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 04 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. Both import and export of medicines
grows in the recent years in Armenia. According to the data of RA
Health Ministry’s Expert Center for Medicines and Medical Technologies,
medicines amounting to 11.5 mln USD were imported in 2002, to 16 mln
USD in 2003, to 21 mln USD in 2004, while in 2005 imports made 30 mln
USD. Medicines of 1 mln 140 thousand USD were exported from Armenia
in 2003, of about 880 thousand USD in 2004 and of about 1 mln 175
thousand USD in 2005. As Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed by
Ashot Hakobian, Chairman of Armenian Association of Manufacturers and
Importers of Medicines, medicines are imported to Armenia mainly
from European countries and are exported to CIS countries. It
was mentioned that though by RA government’s decision medicine
manufacturing in Armenia was to pass to the GMP (good manufacturing
practice) international system since 2005 January, nevertheless,
this decision was not put into practice. In his words, introduction
of GMP system will contribute to growth of medicine exports, as it
establishes international conditions and criteria of manufacturing,
thanks to which madicines manufactured in Armenia will be competitive
on the foreign market. In A.Hakobian’s words, currently, in order to
solve this problem, big native medicine manufacturers have to apply
to international audit organizations for receiving an international
certificate. It was also mentioned that currently approximately ten
organizations manufacturing medicines function in Armenia, among which
the biggest manufacturers are six companies: Likvor, Eskulap, Arpimed,
Pharmatek, Vitamax, Erkimpharm. Intravenous medicines, solutions,
ointments are mainly manufactured in Armenia.