Approximately 40,000 Cases of Dispensing Prescription-Only Drugs Without Electronic Prescriptions Recorded
Around 40,000 cases of dispensing prescription-only drugs without electronic prescriptions were recorded in Armenia in 2024. This was announced by the head of the Health and Labor Inspectorate (HLI), Slavik Sargsyan, during the 2024 year-end press conference.
Sargsyan noted that a total of approximately 200 million AMD in fines had been imposed for prescription-related violations. He also addressed reports suggesting that in the past, the Inspectorate fined 5,000 AMD for specific sales cases, while now it allegedly fines per pill. He assured that the HLI has never fined per pill and clarified that businesses are still fined per sale or distribution case.
Starting January 1, 2025, 2,566 types of drugs will be sold electronically. The remaining drugs will be sold freely, as they are not included in the mandatory prescription list.
Since March 1, 2024, 470 types of drugs have been sold via electronic prescriptions, 375 of which are free or subsidized medications. The electronic prescription system covers 20% of the drugs registered in Armenia, where a total of 3,370 drug names are registered. The list includes antibiotics, antifungal medicines, and several other types of drugs.