Drugstore chain expands under exclusive control

In 2012, the Azerbaijan Ministry of Health provided a special permit (license) for 151 drugstores.

However, this is only a small part of the pharmacies created in the past year, because one pharmacy business can open on the basis of this license several facilities for the production and sale of drugs.

The press service of the Ministry of Health told Turan that by 1 January 2013 licenses for pharmaceutical activities were possessed by 876 business entities, of which 521 are located in Baku. In addition, the appropriate structure of Ministry of Health has over 900 pharmacies.

During 2012, the Center for Analytical Examination of MOH conducted drug tests in 368 private pharmacies. They identified 12 pharmacies operating without permission of the MOH.

Experts point out that there are many deficiencies that hinder the development of pharmacy in the country. For example, entrepreneurs engaged in the activities of the pharmacy, argue that this area is subject to monopolization by a few companies, and to obtain an individual license is difficult.

"Obtaining a license is complicated, and the amount claimed for it is much greater than the size of the state fee. People wanting to open a pharmacy in many cases refer to the operating companies, which in turn return to the license card are forced to work by their rules, "said one of the owners.

The leading "player" in drug business in Azerbaijan is the company AvroMed. It caters to all 900 public pharmacies, as well as 1,420 private pharmacies. It is followed by the companies Riyad Farma, Zeferan, Asfarma, etc. - 08B-