Index of forged medications in Armenia makes 5-6%

Next year a program aimed at struggle against forged medications will be launched in Armenia. Their portion in Armenian market currently makes 5-6%, Gukas Ulikhanyan, Chairman of Armenian Pharmaceutical Association, reported on December, 15.

According to him, it is the medications of the greatest demand that are generally forged. The majority of forged medications in Armenian market are pain relievers.

"In spite of the fact that we have rather a moderate index of forged medications compared to other countries of CIS it is necessary to struggle against this phenomenon. For this purpose a program of struggle against forging medications has been worked out and will be launched next year in Armenia", Gukas Ulikhanyan said.

According to Samvel Zakaryan, Executive Director of the Association of manufacturers and importers, both manufacturers and importers realize their high responsibility and are very scrupulous and careful concerning problems of the medications' quality. He is sure that local manufacturers of medicinal production are especially responsible for its quality.

Zakaryan said that in the nearest future Armenian manufacturers of medications would start using international GMP certificate for realization of their production according to the regulations established by the Government.

According to the Governmental enactment of November, 25, a certificate on manufacturing medicinal production is issued by an organization having the respective international accreditation.

Yearly turnover of medications in 2009 in Armenia made 70 million dollars which is 10-20 million more than in the previous years. Most medications are imported. Only 5-7 % of all the consumed medications are produced in Armenia.

"Caucasian Knot" has formerly reported that according to the Center of medications and medical technologies under the Ministry of Public Health of Armenia, 10-12 % of the medications sold in Armenian market were forged while the Armenian sellers of medications themselves denied the accusations of selling off-grade goods.