In 2008-2011, the average annual growth of the pharmaceutical industry’s production was 7.1%, exports grew by 19%, Deputy Minister of Economy Karine Minasian said at the 4th International Pharmaceutical Competitiveness Conference. The event was dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence and organized by the Union of Drug Manufacturers and Importers, the Ministry of Healthcare, and the Ministry of Economy. She said that the main export markets are Russia, Georgia, and Turkmenistan. 13 companies currently operate in Armenian pharmaceutical industry. In the deputy minister’s words, the sector is the focus of attention of the government. “Pharmaceutics has been selected as one of the major export sectors of Armenia. The establishment of a free economic zone, particularly in the grounds of Mars Plant, may become a stimulus for the sector’s development,” she said, assuring the conference participants that in the near future pharmaceutics will become one of the science-based and innovative sectors of Armenian economy. At the first sitting entitled “The Achievements of Independent Armenia in Pharmaceutical Sector”, Director of the RA Drug and Medical Technology Expertise Center Hakob Topchian also forecast development of the Armenian pharmaceutical industry. According to him, only 6% of drugs registered in Armenia are manufactured domestically. “This index will increase and there will be both quantitative and qualitative growth of drugs if we succeed in dealing with the problems of the sectors,” H. Topchian expressed hope. He pointed out the lack of highly qualified specialists as one of the main problems of Armenian pharmaceutics. “We should introduce a single approach and make changes in our educational programs at this Conference and such events,” H. Topchian stated, attaching importance to the 4th International Pharmaceutical Competitiveness Conference. Expert of the same center Albert Sahakian spoke about the need to establish proper production activity in domestic drug manufacturing, without which the quality and safety of drugs is called into question. He said that state assistance and legislative regulation are necessary to solve the problem. During the second sitting entitled “The Best International Achievements in Pharmaceutical Industry”, representatives of foreign pharmaceutical companies presented their experience and the high standards that the world’s leading companies maintain. Among the participants were doctors, pharmacists, scientists and experts from various countries. In parallel with the conference, a pharmaceutical exhibition was held, at which several Armenian drug manufacturing companies displayed their products.

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