Volodymyr Groysman: Government seeks to provide Ukrainian citizens with quality drugs at affordable prices
posted
17 May 2016
15:08
The Government plans deregulation in pharmacology which will entail reduction of prices for high quality medicines in Ukraine and boosting domestic production. Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman announced during a meeting dedicated to problems in the development of domestic pharmaceutical industry while visiting the InterChem SLC in Odessa region.
"There is an important objective for the Government today - we should trigger deregulation processes regarding medications that will allow Ukrainian citizens to obtain quality drugs, respectively, at reduced prices," he said.
The Head of Government noted that there exists a steep mark-up on medical preparations imported to Ukraine. "This is unacceptable. For us it is crucial to secure that prices in Ukraine could be objectively reduced. We realize how to do it and, most importantly, we are resolute to prolong this activity", emphasized Volodymyr Groysman.
What is more, it is vital to boost domestic production of medicines in the country, he highlighted. "We are here ready to be absolute partners as the Executive Branch that is ready to deregulate, to remove any obstacles to facilitate your development", said the Prime Minister, addressing the representatives of pharmaceutical companies.
In particular, the Government will open up the pharmacy market in the country and promote its competitiveness, promised the Head of Government. According to him, stimulating the development of domestic pharmaceutical companies will entail the production of high-quality medicines and reasonable prices for these.
Volodymyr Groysman noted that the pharmacology industry was rather micromanaged in Ukraine, which had given rise to the existence of shadow schemes. "We must root them out and create a normal European system, in particular, in this sphere", he urged.
"We will spare no effort to ensure that a competitive engine could trigger the process that allows us to develop, and people to obtain competitive environment, quality products at the actual prices, instead of inflated as we have them today," noted Volodymyr Groysman.
The Prime Minister cited as an example the situation with the procurement of medicines through international organizations, which affords 10 to 90% savings, 30-70% on average. "The question is where the money went, from whom it was taken and where it was directed? It's all shadow schemes that, most regrettably, the country was losing", he stressed.
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The Government is also resolute to help and support the pharmaceutical companies in Ukraine to develop their own production and product, as well as to lobby it at the international markets. In turn, the Government is counting on the understanding of pharmaceutical enterprises. The Prime Minister promised to summon in the next few days in Kyiv a meeting with heads of pharmaceutical companies, employees and members of the public for further discussions of urgent problems in the domain of medicines. "The Government has intention to pursue a comprehensive effective health care reform. We will do everything in power to remove any barriers to promote the development of national production of pharmaceuticals. On the other hand, we are planning to eliminate obstacles for a competitive market", said Volodymyr Groysman. In the framework of the working visit to Odessa region on Tuesday, the Prime Minister participated in the opening ceremony of the InterChem laboratory and production complex. He also got familiarized with the production capacities of the enterprise. |