SERIOUS STEPS TAKEN AGAINST TURNOVER OF FAKE DRUGS IN ARMENIA
NOYAN TAPAN
APRIL 9, 2010
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, APRIL 9, NOYAN TAPAN. By unofficial data, the turnover of
fake drugs makes 10-12% in Armenia, Director of the Drugs Center of
the RA Ministry of Healthcare Emil Gabrielian said at the April 7
press conference.
He called the turnover of fake drugs a "serious business", underlining
that efficient work should be done to fight it, and serious steps are
now being taken in Armenia in this direction. "The checks on expiry
dates of drugs are controlled and regulated in the country. A drug is
not an ordinary product, the matter concerns human life and health,
so we take all the possible measures," he noted. E. Gabrielian
underlined the necessity for regular checks at Armenian drugstores
without a preliminary warning.
It was mentioned that fake drugs are imported into Armenia in a devious
way. Those drugs which pass through "control channels" of the Center
are subjected to analysis and examination. "We examine the quality,
safety, effectiveness of the drug and only after receiving our positive
conclusion, a drug can enter Armenian market," E. Gabrielian said.
According to him, a new bill on drugs has been submitted to the
National Assembly. The bill envisages regulating the whole process
of drug turnover.
Imported drugs of -70 million are sold in Armenia annually.
Domestically produced drugs make up 5-7% of the market.