The information regarding sale of the medication “Selsept 500 mg (50 tablets)” at different prices across various pharmacies has been circulated on social media. In the publication, a citizen noted that the medication was being sold at different prices in two separate pharmacies—123.02 AZN in one and 67.60 AZN in the other—and has been questioned the reason for this discrepancy.
We note that the retail prices of medicines in Azerbaijan are regulated and approved by the Tariff (Price) Council. Nevertheless, acting on the information circulated in the media, the Analytical Expertise Center investigated the matter and took appropriate measures in accordance with legislative requirements.
The investigation determined that the pharmacy selling “Selsept 500 mg (50 tablets)” for 123.02 AZN had not committed any violation of the law. The maximum retail price established by the Tariff (Price) Council for this medication is 123.02 AZN. It has been determined that the sale of the medication “Selsept 500 mg (50 tablets)” to a citizen for 67 manats and 60 qapiks took place at a pharmacy owned by “ZEYTUN PHARMACEUTICALS” LLC, located at 92 Samad Vurgun Street, Nasimi District, Baku.
Based on media reports and available facts, and referencing the state registry extract from the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Analytical Expertise Center responsible staff has been conducted an unscheduled inspection of this mentioned pharmacy.
The inspection revealed that the medicinal product “Selsept 500 mg (50 tablets)” is an immunosuppressive drug used to prevent organ rejection following kidney, heart, or liver transplantation and included in the list of essential medicines provided free of charge by the state to persons with disabilities for outpatient use.
As part of the inspection, a written statement was obtained from the person in charge of the pharmacy. According to the statement provided, the drug offered for sale did not belong to the pharmacy itself but to a close relative of an employee. İt was surplus medicines and sold at the pharmacy at a reduced price because (it did not meet requirements).
During of the an investigation was determined that this practice violated current legislation. Furthermore, the inspection revealed other irregularities regarding non-compliance with regulatory legal acts at the pharmacy.
In connection with the identified violations, a protocol regarding the administrative offense was drawn up pursuant to Article 221.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and appropriate measures prescribed by law were taken.
The Analytical Expertise Center reiterates that inquiries from citizens and information circulated in the media are carefully investigated; where violations of the law are identified, prompt oversight measures are implemented, and the matter is addressed in accordance with the law.
At the same time, media representatives are requested to verify the official position before publishing information related to the healthcare sector particularly regarding matters within the purview of the Analytical Expertise Center. This ensures the public is accurately informed and helps prevent the formation of misconceptions. We remind that citizens may contact the Analytical Expertise Center regarding illegal activities, suspicious medicinal products, or other violations at private medical facilities and pharmacies via the following channels:
- “Single Window” sector;
- Hotline: (012) 596 05 20;
- E-mail: [email protected];
- The “Inquiries” section of the www.pharma.az website.
All incoming inquiries are investigated in accordance with legislative requirements; where necessary, unscheduled inspections of the relevant medical and pharmaceutical facilities are conducted, and measures prescribed by law are taken.
