The new list of medicines, promised after the deadline for reviewing price requests for medicinal products, was announced for April 18.
However, as of April 24, the Ministry of Health still has not finalized the list.
During the period between the Ministry’s decision to unify medicine prices and the implementation of that decision on February 1, only half of the registered medicinal products applied for pricing.
As a result, there arose a need for a new list, which has yet to be published.
“On December 24, when the decision was made, it was supposed to be implemented by February 1. In this period, out of 4,221 registered products at the Medicinal Products Agency, only 2,900 applied. Due to an incorrect format and the failure to apply the standard application procedure, not everyone was able to apply. When the decision was issued, a significant number of marketing authorization holders didn’t submit applications. During this process, the Ministry issued three or four decisions — not for declarations or redeclarations, but to allow changes in prices and to correct previous mistakes. During the price revision, companies applied, but the commission was unable to review all applications. The second published list was annulled, and with another publication, it was annulled again. They said the final list would come out on April 18. It’s now April 24, and there is still no official response. Pharmacies, patients, and the lack of medicine supply are direct consequences of this hasty and unlawful decision by the Ministry,” said Astrit Haxhijaha, vice president of the Pharmacists’ Chamber.
According to the Pharmacists’ Chamber, this situation further proves the failure of the decision.
“The non-publication of the new list, initially scheduled for April 18, is additional proof of the ongoing crisis of medicine shortages. Almost 60 days have passed since the price application process started, and we still have no official response from the Ministry of Health, which has also violated legal deadlines. We call for the decision to be temporarily revoked and a thorough review of the obstacles to be carried out. Otherwise, the situation is alarming. We receive constant complaints. As an institution, we believe we are regulators. Just yesterday, we received complaints from private hospitals regarding shortages of essential medicines. The decision is being partially respected because the format was designed for pharmacies to comply in such a manner. The format was severely flawed and was enforced just eight days before the elections, which was a wrong move. Ultimately, it is the citizens who are suffering,” Haxhijaha emphasized.
The Pharmacists’ Chamber also criticized the acting Minister, Arben Vitia, for not once inviting the Chamber for consultation.
Attempts were made to get a response from the Ministry of Health about the status of the process and when the list is expected to be finalized, but no reply has been received.
