The medicines for which medical prescription is not necessary could be sold in specialized shops as well. The list of preparations was approved by the Ministry of Health. At the same time, the Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices will authorize the shops that will sell pharmaceutical preparations. The provision is contained in a bill on medications drafted by the Ministry of Health that was proposed for public debates, IPN reports.

To ensure the patient’s access to appropriate treatment, at the request of the specialist, the import of a particular medicine will be allowed, even if this is not authorized, for the treatment of a patient or a group of patients. For the same purpose, there was introduced a procedure that ensures the patient’s access to essential drugs. The draft law also sets down the conditions in which medicines can be purchased or donated in emergencies.

The renewal of the authorization will replace the repeated authorization procedure that includes the filling out of the authorized medicine’s file with information about its quality, safety and efficiency and will enable to assess the file faster. The files will have to be updated in accordance with the Community acquis, for drugs authorized in Moldova.

The business entities will be penalized for not respecting the provisions of the document. The penalties will be specified in the Contravention Code. In case of very serious violations, the Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices will withdraw the license of drug importers and distributor for several months.