The second stage of psychotropic drug reform – after the imports of specially controlled pharmaceutical products by the state, the drugs, in some cases, have become 10 times cheaper.
Notably, relevant medical institutions are already supplied with medicines; at the same time, pharmacy chains are being replenished. Reform aims to prevent psychotropic medication misuse, while making sure drugs are available to those who actually need them.
In the process of reform, important circumstances have been identified: as a result of the analysis, it was found that private importers were implementing medicines with 30% to 810% price increase. The mentioned price increase in the retail pharmacy chain was added. As a result, the medicines, in some cases, would be bought 10 times more expensive than the actual price.
It should be noted that the state has reached a direct purchase agreement with international pharmaceutical companies on several medicines, which will further reduce the cost of the drugs. As a result of the changes made, the process of creating a fair and systematic system has been improved.
The state has set a reasonable wholesale and retail price cap, which will provide citizens with financial access to medicines. The cost has been reduced 7-10 times on several positions.
It is important that, to ensure rational use of medicines, the Ministry strictly controls the distribution and use of psychotropic drugs. They are allowed to be administered to a patient only by a doctor’s appointment, with full protection of the appropriate medical record. In case of any mistake and indecent acts, the Ministry will have a strict reaction stipulated by law.
A reminder that opioid addiction replacement treatment is now fully state-run under drug policy reform – private alternative therapy centers have been abolished and will be providing services free of charge to all beneficiaries on August 15th.
Within the framework of the reform, private companies banned the import of psychotropic medicines, after which the import and realization of medicines under special control became a prerogative of the state.
