Health Ministry intends to convince patients to use fewer drugs

11.05.2009 13:24
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The Ministry of Health wants to persuade the patients to consume fewer medicines. At least this is the aim of an awareness raising campaign launched by the Ministry. The campaign themed “Promoting Rational Use of Medicines” will be conducted between May 11 and June 11 in concert with the Medicines Agency, Info-Prim Neo reports. Minister of Health Larisa Catrinici told a news conference on May 11 that the campaign was needed as the drugs are used inefficiently at a time when the prices of medicines go up significantly. “The control over how the drug prescription-delivery norms are observed will be stepped up. The drugstores will distribute information sheets. The doctors, pharmacists and drug users will be questioned and interviewed. We aim to combat the irrational and uncontrolled drug using,” Larisa Catrinici said. According to the minister, 60-70% of the medicines used without prescription, especially antibiotics, are inefficient and cause damage to other organs. “Even the simplest drug ‘paracetamol’ can harm the liver if taken together with coffee,” the minister said. Acting director of the Medicines Agency Vladimir Safta said that the expenses will decrease if one uses fewer drugs as the prices of medicines rise constantly. The prices of drugs in Moldova in the first quarter of this year rose by 5.08%. During the previous years, the prices increased by 4 -5% yearly. In order to inform the population, the Medicines Agency set up three phone lines: 737448, 737002, and 727188.