Tougher Penalties for Unscrupulous Pharmacists to Hit Small Businessmen
The government methods to reduce the prices of drugs and medical preparations do not work. So the State Service for Antimonopoly Policy and Consumer Right Protection under the Ministry of Economy and Industry of Azerbaijan sees a way out in raising the penalties.
As the head of this structure Zahid Isayev told the media, the day before they presented to the government a proposal to toughen penalties for artificially high prices for drugs sold in the domestic market. According to him, the maximum penalty bracket of 50,000 manats will be more effective.
According to experts, this is not the way out of the situation; most likely, the Finance Ministry will impose fines on unwanted pharmacies and eliminate rivals and small businesses.
Recall the Tariff (Price) Council established uniform rates for 1,057 drugs on 15 September. By the end of the year the list will include about 4.5 thousand drugs. About 50 items of especially popular drugs and medical preparations have been withdrawn from sale. --17D-
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