LITHUANIAN DRUG IMPORTS DROP

Lithuania imported pharmaceuticals worth LTL537mn (US$192.25mn) in H105, a decrease of 4.5% compared to the same period last year. Industry observers blame the decline partly on new legislation, passed in December in 2004, which requires companies applying for import licenses to prove that their suppliers meet strict criteria. Also the cost of obtaining an import license has increased. This is not expected to be a long-term trend, as the Lithuanian drug market remains heavily reliant on drug imports, especially for sophisticated medicines.

Meanwhile, the Lithuanian government has announced that it will calculate the base prices for reimbursed medicines by comparing drug prices to those in six similar countries. The health ministry claims that these measures will result in a lowering of drug costs and will benefit drugmakers by providing clear regulations. The Lithuanian government is expected to spend around LTL440mn (US$157.52mn) on drug reimbursement this year.