Lukashenko wants affordable and quality domestic medicines in Belarus

People in Belarus should be provided with affordable and high-quality domestic medicines, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at a session to discuss the state and prospects of the Belarusian pharmaceutical industry on 20 February, BelTA has learned.

Pharmaceutical industry is one of the most lucrative and fast-growing industries in the world. “The development of this industry is our long-term priority,” the President emphasized. Belarus has created the necessary conditions for the promotion of its pharmaceutical industry. In 2010 the head of state set a task to increase the share of Belarus-made medicines on the domestic market up to 50%. “This is important for the national security. We should provide the population with affordable and high-quality domestic medicines,” Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.

“Belarus is a welfare state; thus, improving public healthcare is one of our most important tasks. It will always be like that,” the President noted. With this in mind, Belarus is upgrading medical facilities, purchasing the most advanced equipment, training highly qualified specialists and, most importantly, building up the production of domestic medicines.

Alexander Lukashenko underlined that in present-day conditions the penetration of counterfeit medicines into the Belarusian market poses a serious threat, as these medicines can undermine people’s health and finances. The domestic pharmaceutical industry can protect people from such threats, the head of state believes.