The Association of Pharmacists of Ukraine appealed to the chairman of the anti-corruption committee of the Verkhovna Rada Anastasia Radina with a request to intervene in the discussion of amendments to the draft law No. 11493. according to industry representatives, the proposed changes, including quotas for the supply of medicines and the ban on marketing contracts, may lead to the closure of pharmacies in small settlements and an increase in the price of medicines for consumers, writes UNN.
"The concern is lobbying in the interests of individual pharmaceutical companies that touch some politicians. the ban on entering into marketing contracts between pharmacies and manufacturers significantly limits the ability of pharmacies to generate revenue, forcing them to increase trade margins or Close. This is especially critical for small localities, where residents are at risk of being left without access to pharmacies, and therefore to medicines. At the same time, such an initiative creates the impression of promoting monopolization of the market by networks that may be associated with the initiators of the amendments," the appeal says.
The pharmaceutical community is also concerned about corruption risks in quotas, because the proposed restrictions on the volume of purchases of drugs by one buyer in the amount of no more than 15% create conditions for an artificial shortage of medicines and unequal conditions for market participants.
"We assume that this scheme is designed to manipulate the market in favor of individual manufacturing companies that can get exclusive access to strategic resources," the association points out.
In addition, industry experts point out the threat of shadowing the market, since the introduction of non-transparent mechanisms and restrictions creates prerequisites for the transition of a significant part of market relations to the "shadow", which will significantly reduce tax revenues to the state budget.
"We call on the committee on anti-corruption policy to immediately intervene in the situation and you, Ms. Radina, to conduct a thorough review of the feasibility of amendments to draft law No. 11493, including economic justifications and potential impact on the market and citizens. we believe in your integrity and readiness to protect transparency and fairness in the legislative process," the association stressed.