Romania will have the lowest drug prices in Europe starting July 1, said Health Minister Nicolae Banicioiu. The price cut procedure has been completed, and the Government already discussed about this with the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund.

The price lowering is normal, due to the country’s social and economic context, according to Banicioiu.

“The prices can’t be similar to the countries that have stronger GDPs,” he said, cited by local Wall-street.ro.

The Government has also discussed the measure with drug producers and distributors and pharmacy chains, to avoid supply problems. The new drug prices, which are 20% lower, have already been displayed on the Health Ministry’s website.

However, the generic drug manufacturers have warned that some 1,200 drugs will disappear from the local market, as they will become unprofitable to produce or import.

editor@romania-insider.com