Armenia is intended to introduce GMP standard for the producers of medicaments in 2010 - deputy

YEREVAN, December 2. /АРКА/. “Armenia is intended to introduce GMP standard (“Good Manufacturing Practice”) for the producers of medicaments in 2010”, said Ara Babloyan, Head of Standing Committee on Health Issues of the National Assembly of Armenia.

GMP standard is a system of norms, rules and instructions related to the production of medical products, medical equipment, diagnostic equipment, food products, food supplements and active ingredients. In difference with the control procedures of quality, GMP standard reflects total approach, regulates and assesses the parameters of production and laboratory control.

“It is planned to submit the relevant legislative package of amendments to the Parliament in 2010, but if there will be some delay, we are ready to introduce separate legislative initiative only for the adoption of the given component”, said Babloyan. It will allow Armenian producers of medicaments to have new quality level of production, increase competitiveness and open new export opportunities of local pharmaceutical production. To his opinion, the document will be approved and become effective in 2010.

During 10 months of 2009 import of medicaments to Armenia was $60.38 million versus $83.93 million in 2008. Volume of production of Armenian medicaments during 10 months of 2009 was increased by 113 million drams and made 1.737 billion drams. During 10 months of 2009 volume of export of Armenian pharmaceutical products was $2.78 million versus $3.46 million in 2008. Currently there are 12 producers of medicaments in Armenia. Only 14% or 445 names of all medicaments presented in the Armenian market are produced within the country. 22% or 718 names of medicaments are imported from NIS countries and the remaining 64% from other countries. --0—