Importers request a rise in drug prices

Although legislation stipulates that prices must be changed every three months according to the exchange rate, the Ministry of Health has not changed these since last spring. The devaluation of the leu in the latter part of 2007 decreased profits of importers. They say they will halt imports if conditions lead to losses.

The Romanian market is dependent on imports of 75 percent of its drugs. Importers buy drugs at RON 3.8/€1 and resell these at RON 3.3/€1, the latter the price set by the Ministry of Public Health.

"We can no longer sustain such losses. If prices are not recalculated we will be forced to halt imports," says Vivian Diaconescu, President of the Association of Drug Distributors and Importers (ADIM).

"In six months since the leu started its depreciation, prices have not been recalculated," says Ileana Niculescu, Vice President of ADIM.