Leanid Zaika: Is Health Ministry All Blind And Deaf?

A well-known economist appreciated the initiative of the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of Health suggested that Belarusians should send photos of the receipts for drugs purchased abroad, if their price differs from the price of similar drugs in Belarus, Radio Racyja reports. Thus, the specialists of the Ministry of Health are analyzing the cost of drugs as part of the "work on possible reduction of the cost of some drugs."

- I was very surprised by the initiative of the Ministry of Health, as such issues are usually handled by marketing firms. And this proposal is more reminiscent of the construction of iron smelters in every Chinese village. I don't even know who came up with such a "bright idea", but I'm just amazed at it. For example, I will send a check for medicines I bought in Poland or Russia twice cheaper than in Belarus to the Ministry. And what after that? What can you do? Will this medicine immediately become cheap?

On the whole, people are being mocked in this respect. Prices are many times higher, many drugs are sold only by prescription, although in neighboring countries they can be bought freely and cheaply. Does the Ministry of Health not know about this? Is it all blind and deaf ? - the well-known economist Leanid Zaika says.

- And why are the prices for medicines really so high in Belarus?

- Apparently, it's very profitable for some to maintain such a situation. For example, prescriptions are introduced for various affordable medicines. And the Ministry then advises how to treat people. This is a typical sprute that has reached the state level. Polyclinics are already packed with people, so why did they introduce additional prescriptions for medicines? In short, the Ministry of Health is not looking for easy ways."