drugstores

Romania’s Government decided Tuesday to lift the exception allowing the opening of drugstores in train stations, airports and shopping centers, a procedure allowed since 2005, citing the already high number of drugstores in urban areas.

Drugstores in Romania will be set up and operate as commercial companies starting 2011, with a pharmacist as sole associate or part of associations of pharmacists who own at least 51% of shares, according to the new law on the organization and functioning of drugstores.

Romanian Health Minister Cseke Attila on Thursday said the state has paid almost EUR250 million in overdue debts to drugstores countrywide over the past few weeks, adding there are enough state budget funds to pay debts to all drugstores by the end of the year.

Romanian health minister Ion Bazac told MEDIAFAX Thursday that people needn’t worry about drug prices rising 6% as of April, because that hike is for producer prices and prices in drugstores will only increase 1%.

Romanian government on Wednesday replaced the demographic criterion to authorize drugstores in the rural areas with a fee paid to the National Drug Agency, in a move to stimulate new openings and ensure medical services in underprivileged regions.

Romania’s Ministry of Public Health will start on Monday a thorough control of drugstores and pharmaceutical suppliers, health minister Eugen Nicolaescu said Saturday.