YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, NOYAN TAPAN. The Second Armenian Pharmaceutical Competitiveness Conference was held in Yerevan on December 1 on the initiative of the USIAD-financed Competitive Armenian Private Sector (CAPS) Project. Among organisers were RA Ministry of Healthcare, RA Ministry of Economy, the Scientific Center of Drug and Medical Technology Expertise, the Union of Medicine Producers and Importers of Armenia, the National Competitiveness Foundation, and the Armenian Development Agency. Chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Healthcare Affairs Ara Babloyan said in his speech that the purpose of the conference is to discuss the current situation in the sector and its development prospects. In his words, since the 1990s the sector has proceeded along a considerable path and with great difficulty it has become possible to provide the market with domestically made drugs to a minimum extent. He added that however, the state now must set itself the goal of providing the population with safe, high-quality drugs at reasonable prices, and it must also create conditions, under which locally made drugs would be competitive. Director of the USAID/Armenia Economic Growth Office David Hull said that in 2004-2007 Armenia's pharmaceutical sector grew by 51%. The USAID attaches importance to assistance to the pharmaceutical industry of Armenia because domestically produced drugs significantly contribute to availability of the major drugs and their lower prices. Besides, under the CAPS Project, assistance is being provided in order to bring the sector into line with international standards and form a proper legislative field. He underlined the importance of Armenian drugs being in line with international standards as it will help enhance the sector's competitiveness and promote exports.

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