Drug distributors said this is the first time they managed to reach an agreement with the Ministry of Health, adding they suffered losses of dozens of millions of euro in 2008 and the beginning of 2009.
"We are content of the meeting with the health minister. This is the first time in a long while that we meet with a minister who is open, transparent and understanding. Drug prices will be adjusted as of February 1 and the situation will improve," said Viorel Vasile, head of the Association of Drug Distributors in Romania.
In October, distributors halted deliveries for nearly two weeks, after the ministry froze drug prices at the exchange rate set in April 2007, of RON3.32 to the euro and RON2.44 to the U.S. dollar, although the Romanian currency had lost about 15-20% in the meantime.
End October, the exchange rate was partially updated to RON3.63 to the euro.
A draft order for the approval of norms regarding the calculation of prices for drugs is under public debate on the Health Ministry’s website until February 18.