The drug price unification decision shocks the pharmaceutical market, Hadzijaha: Quick decision, electoral benefits

The Health Ministry's decision to unify drug prices, which went into effect on February 1st, has triggered numerous reactions among pharmacists. They complain of lack of certain drugs, legal contradictions and problems in implementing the decision.

Deputy Chairman of the Kosovo Pharmacists' House (OFK) Astrit Hadzijaha, has said of Indexline, that this decision in the way it was made has brought a tremendous shock to the pharmaceutical market. Hadziha says the decision has been narrow and that the Health Ministry (MSH) has not expressed readiness to co-ordinate with the pharmaceutical community, pharmacists' bars.

While he says there are constantly complaints from barons, for lack of drugs and non-forcing from pharmaceutical depots. According to him, there is a shortage of about 1700 types of drugs.

“We have ongoing complaints from pharmacists, bartenders for lack of drugs and non-forcing from pharmaceutical depots due to the MSH decision. This decision has brought a tremendous, severe shock to the pharmaceutical market. But we consider this to be just the beginning, because we will constantly lack or are expected to lack some 1700 other types of drugs. All of this because of an immediate wrong format by the MSH, never being co-ordinated with the main acters of implementation of this decision, such as the pharmaceutical community, the bartenders or pharmacists in this case. We've been trying to coordinate with the S.H.A., but they've never expressed readiness or even heard us have a single” meeting, he said.

But it says the drug supply situation will get worse and further and that patients will be forced out of the country to provide the drugs they need.

This alert, which is currently, will be tenfold and we will continue to lack drugs and patients will be forced to travel abroad, to secure the” drugs, Haxhijaha says.

And the problem with him is paragraph 6 of this decision, which imposes on retail collectors or bartenders to place prices in banners across the stock state of the drug store.

The “E which plays banners or prices in the banner press the Agency for Property and Medical Equipment. However, importers or pharmaceutical stores make their location. It's not competent to decide drugs or pharmacists. Because every banner has its own code, which means a mistake if done, then it's the pharmaceutical inspectorate that can take action against the event and fine because of mistakes”, he said.

Hadziha says that this issue must be adjusted and the decision abolished and then all together can do their best.

“For 20 years we've been seeking a med-prisonment of drug prices and it's done for a month without co-ordinating with the main actors. We are against the law because it is ideally, but not the decision of this kind of form. Because the paragraphs of the decision are catastrophic”, he said.

But it says that this is only the beginning and that the drug supply situations will be difficult. All of this, according to him, is due to a hasty decision on electoral benefits.

This is just the beginning, because we have only a few products missing from the drug store. But we will constantly have more and more because of this extremely hasty decision, thinking it benefits in the” electoral campaign, he said.

Haxhijaha says this controversial decision has not enabled barors to download the old stock, since products which have been in stock at higher prices cannot be sold at lower prices, as such is considered and illegal.

The decision must be made in a good way, in a period of time to let the drugs download the old stock. We are not against the law but against the decision. The decision has been made incorrectly, not allowing pharmaceutical companies to apply for other products and not to implement that decision. Because a product he had in stock 5 euros, I can't sell two or three euros. It's impossible. Except that it's impossible, we've requested a legal interpretation from ATK, in which all products sold below the cost of supply are said to be illegal. So you can sell the product below the cost you've got”, Haxhijaha said.

While he says the subject was sent to court and that they expect a merit response.