The Minister of Health speaks in a last-minute statement about one of the very big problems that Romania has been facing for some time, more precisely, he provided information about the steps taken to solve the situation of generic drugs, and the prices for the drugs sold in the country.
The Minister of Health explains below how he intends to solve the problem, with whom he is discussing so that Romanians are not forced to buy only expensive medicines, but also about the relationship he has with Raed Arafat, with whom he was at the center of disputes in the last months, as you well know.
"We had discussions related to these problems, we already had with ARPIM, they are the ones who produce the more expensive medicines, the original ones. Next, this week there will be a meeting that Mr. Baciu, who deals with medicine policy in the ministry, will have a meeting with the people from the organization that produces most of the generic medicines.
There are two elements here that I consider sensitive, and which should lead us in the right direction, to have a fiscal policy that encourages investments on the one hand, and the production of generic drugs in Romania. This is essential, and the price policy should encourage the use of these generic drugs where the profits obtained by the industry are much lower.
To understand exactly how things are, the 70-30 principle, that is, 70% of the cheap drugs consume 30% of the total drug budget. The way in which the policy of the cheapest medicine, which worked in Romania for many years, led to the disappearance of medicines, I will tell you from a certain category, the cheapest ones.
We automatically had to settle for the one that was a bit more expensive. They didn't always say, probably people in Romania it's good to buy what is the cheapest. What is cheaper usually disappears if you buy it, so it will no longer exist. The relationship is institutional between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Interior, the situation is, so to speak, in a status quo.
This does not mean that citizens should not have access to emergency medical services. It's not about tension, here it's about what is needed for the health system, and what is needed for the people of Romania. I think it is clear to everyone that emergency medical care is a responsibility of the Ministry of Health, and it must be provided by health professionals." Rafila stated.
