The Ministry of Health has adopted three measures effective as of today to reduce drug prices and expedite drug approval processes, IPN reports.

“We have made changes regarding the registration of medicines in the state nomenclature of medicines. The number of medicines registered in this nomenclature has dropped considerably in recent years due to the many regulations that affected registration procedures, which were quite complicated - and often with a hidden agenda. This was used to influence drug prices”, Health Minister Ala Nemerenco told a press conference.

While in 2015 the nomenclature contained 6072 drug names, by 2021 their number dropped to 3979, said Ala Nemerenco.

In light of the pandemic, measures were also needed to speed up the access of innovative drugs. A fast-track, 10-day procedure has been introduced for medicines needed in emergency situations, including vaccines.

The second measure introduces a fast-track procedure for medicines approved by EMA, FDA, and other countries with exigent regulators, such as Switzerland, Canada, Japan, Australia and the United Kingdom.

A fast-track procedure has also been introduced for WHO pre-qualified medicines, which will take up to 45 days, as opposed to 210 days in standard procedure.

“These changes will avoid duplication of file evaluation and shorten approval times. This will lead not only to the population getting access to certain medicines, but also make a better use of administrative and human resources at the Medicines Agency”, stated Nemerenco.