With the entry into force of the Law of the Azerbaijan Republic “On Amendments to the Law of the Azerbaijan Republic “On Medicines” dated July 14, 2023, changes were made to the legal and organizational framework for handling medicines and medical devices. These changes also affected food supplements with biological activity (FSBA). We bring to your attention the changes:
- Immediately after mentioning the name of the food supplement in the advertisement, it must be indicated that it is not a medicine, and the words “NOT A MEDICINE” must be on the same background, size and font as the trademark;
- The difference in the names of food supplements and the state-registered medicines must be at least 4 (four) letters. A substance not contained in food supplements cannot be used in its name;
- Wherever the name of the trademark is written on food supplements and in the instructions for use (inserts), under the name of the trademark, it must be printed indelibly in clear, raised, bold and large letters in black on a white background of the same size and font of the words “NOT A MEDICINE (the words “not a medicine” should be replaced with the words “NOT A MEDICINE”);
- In pharmacies, food supplements should be stored separately from medicines on the shelves and cabinets designated for them. At the top front of these shelves and cabinets, occupying at least 60 percent of the width of the shelf and cabinet, the words “FOOD SUPPLEMENTS” must be written in clear, conspicuous, bold, large letters in black on a white background in a font of at least “Arial 75” and under it the inscription “NOT A MEDICINE.”
It should be noted that the changes made to the Law “On Medicines” directly affect the activities of the public legal entity “Analytical Expertise Center” of MOH, therefore, employees of the Legal Department of the Center prepared presentations on changes in the areas of activity and conducted educational trainings for representatives of international companies, working in the field of pharmacology and pharmaceutics, as well as for employees of the relevant departments.
