The topic of medicines is one of the topics that is always relevant in society. People always keep on the agenda the question of which medicine to buy in order to find it cheaper and better. But, unfortunately, the process of finding quality medicines on the way to health and good treatment is also accompanied by rumors. Many of us are familiar with the phrases that “medicines are of poor quality”, “medicines are fake”, “control label on it does not mean that it is quality”, “what does the control label mean? This is an additional and unnecessary procedure” and so on. Do “control label”, formerly called “holograms”, not guarantee the quality of the medicine? What is the proof of the control labels pasted on different medicines? Taking into account that in our country control labels are issued by the Analytical Expertise Center of the Ministry of Health, we decided to clarify for the population and business people interested in this issue why and on what principles these labels are issued.
First, let’s clarify what a control label (hologram) is. In accordance with the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Protection of Consumer Rights”, a control label means that an audiovisual work, phonogram, computer program, collection of information, copies of a book and other objects of copyright and related rights are made (produced) in compliance with copyright and related rights, and also it is a special sign with a single pattern, which is a one-time security tool, with an alphanumeric code printed on copies and holographic protection, which confirms the provision of such consent to the sale of goods, products and information materials that require approval from the relevant government authority, and authorizes distribution of these copies. The consumer has the right to ensure the marking of goods, products and information materials with a control label in cases provided for by law. In accordance with the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Medicines” (https://e-qanun.az/framework/12128), a control label issued by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan must be affixed to medicines. Therefore, all companies and entrepreneurs who import medicines into the country must acquire a control label for each product they import in accordance with the “Law on Medicines and the Rules for the Form, Accounting, Use and Issuance of a Control Mark” (https://e-qanun.az/framework/27897) from the Cabinet of Ministers.
But how is this process carried out? It should be noted that first, the applicants (holders of the registration certificate for medicines) apply to the AEC for labeling medicines with a control label, and based on this application, the medicines are issued with the appropriate number of control label. Medicines are labeled with a one-time control label. In accordance with the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Medicines”, a control label is affixed to medicines before the sale or distribution of these products, by persons who have the right to procure (produce) or import the relevant products, by right holders, individuals and legal entities who have acquired the rights assigned to individuals. The control label is affixed to the medicine after the completion of customs clearance. Remember that the seller (manufacturer, performer) must give the consumer medicines marked with a control label only in cases stipulated by law. Persons distributing medicines that are not marked with a control label are liable in the manner prescribed by the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Article 451 of the same law states that goods subject to control label marking are confiscated for keeping them for sale or distribution without control label, for taking them out of production premises or otherwise distributing them. Also, a fine of 50 manats is imposed on individuals, 100 manats on officials, and 150 manats on legal entities for each product without a control label.
It should be noted that the price of one control label is 1 qapik, and the funds paid for their purchase are transferred to the state budget. According to information available at the AEC, from January 1, 2020 to September 30, 2022, 351,790,712 control labels were sold for sticking on medicines.
It should be noted that the price of one control label is 1 qapik, and the funds paid for their purchase are transferred to the state budget. According to information available at the AEC, from January 1, 2020 to September 30, 2022, 351,790,712 control labels were sold for sticking on medicines.
As can be seen, the release of these control label not only prevents the sale of low-quality, counterfeit medicines to consumers, but also leads to a significant transfer of funds to the state budget. However, sometimes there are cases when there is no control label in pharmacies or a label is placed not on the empty part of the medicine box, but on some information. Information on this issue has repeatedly appeared in the press. One of the materials even mentioned that the buyer bought the medicine without paying attention to its expiration date, and only noticed at home that a control label was pasted on that part of the medicine box where the expiration date was indicated. That is, the purpose of applying the control label on this part of the box was to hide the expiration date of the medicine. Unfortunately, such situations endanger not only the health of the population, but also the future generations of our country. The actions of pharmacists resorting to this path are certainly criminal. The reality is that it is physically impossible for AEC inspectors, who have the authority to inspect pharmacies, to find and identify all such facts and, as a result, bring the violator to justice. Because the inspector authorized to check the pharmacy cannot check all the medicines in this pharmacy one by one. There will not be enough time or human resources for this. Let’s not forget that the control label is affixed to medicines not in pharmacies, but in depots.
But how to find irresponsible businessmen and pharmacists and how to get serious action against them? In this case, consumers can be the biggest contributors to the AEC.
But how to find irresponsible businessmen and pharmacists and how to get serious action against them? In this case, consumers can be the biggest contributors to the AEC.
Citizens who are faced with cases of sale in pharmacies of expired medicines that do not have a control label, as well as important information hidden on the packaging by the brand, for example, the production date, can contact the AEC sector “Bir Penchere” (Single Window), located on address Jafar Jabbarly 34, along with the medicine and its sales receipt. Here, at the request of the consumer, an investigation will be carried out and the party guilty in such cases will be punished in accordance with the law. At the same time, the public can provide information by calling the AEC hotline (+99412) 596-07-12, (+99412) 594-57-27, (+99412) 594-57-37 on cases of violation of the law. Citizens can also write to AEC [email protected] about their concerns.
The AEC appeals to the people of Azerbaijan and calls for active assistance in the process of identifying and disclosing cases of sale of low-quality, unlabeled medicines. Let’s not forget that the sale of low-quality, non-state-registered, non-labeled medicines is not only dangerous today, but also a blow to our gene pool, that is, to our future. Let’s prevent this dangerous together!
