Ukraine is preparing a set of measures aimed at reviving its pharmaceutical production sector, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said here Tuesday, according to Xinhua.
"The government will encourage the domestic production of all essential medicines," Azarov said, emphasizing that the move will enhance local manufacturing capacity and provide affordable and quality health care.
The government intends to substantially reduce the importation of medicines, which currently stands at around 80 percent of the total consumption, he said, adding that some imported drugs in the Ukrainian market are of dubious quality.
According to the prime minister, the sales of pharmaceutical products in the Ukrainian market reached around 4 billion U.S. dollars last year.
On March 1, Kiev strengthened drug distribution rules, obliging all importers to obtain additional licenses to operate in the Ukrainian market.
