OREANDA-NEWS. November 25, 2011. Lists of maximal medication prices will be posted in Moldovan drug stores within 45 days, Health Minister Andrei Usatii told journalists at a topic-related meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Moldovanu.

Usatii noted that the medicines' prices should not exceed the one from the national register of prices plus 40 per cent in drug stores. At the same time, the profit must not exceed 15 per cent.

The health minister emphasized that the pace of increase in the medication prices dropped in 2010. In 2008-2009, the prices for medication sold in drug stores rose by 29 per cent annually. In 2010, the prices for medicines grew by 0.75 per cent, as a result of the implementation of a cabinet decision, under which the increase in these prices was taken under control.

A 2.7-per cent diminution in the medication prices was recorded in 2011. "Nonetheless, this does not mean that all the preparations from drug stores will cheapen, as the prices for raw material, energy resources and transport go up," the minister said.

Usatii gave assurances that controls are undertaken beginning with the customs points, so that no counterfeit goods enter the Moldovan pharmaceutical market. At the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Moldovanu said he had been informed by his Russian counterpart about the potential import in Moldova of counterfeit medication "Tamiflu" and "Mezim".