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Pharmaceutical drugs manufacturers worried about authorities' statements on tax clawbacks

The Romanian Association of the International Drug Manufacturers (ARPIM) voice their concern about the recent public statements issued by the authorities regarding the tax clawbacks, reads a press release sent to Agerpres on Thursday.

The authorities' representatives publicly stated that they are at the moment working upon a tax layout with completely different points than those subjected to public debate a week ago, claims the quoted source.

'The new version completely dismisses the opinion and expertise of the representatives of the pharmaceutical industry. We believe the principles of good governance and transparency are thus breached and the message sent to the foreign investors by the authorities is utterly negative. We are worried that the Government is poised to make a decision based on false information regarding expenses on pharmaceutical drugs, the compensation of the patented drugs in favour of the generics and the financial contribution of the pharmaceutical industry. That is why we sent an open letter both to the Romanian President and the Prime Minister unveiling the true reality, but also the consequences such a measure could have for both the foreign investors and the pharmaceutical market,' says ARPIM executive Dan Zaharescu.

The tax clawbacks are also present in other EU member states but no country taxes the turnover (the total amount of sales), but the amount compensated by the Government. Moreover, the state does not levy such taxes before they pay their debts to the manufacturers, stress the ARPIM representatives.

ARPIM believes that the main long-term negative consequence brought about by this measure is that it will discourage the foreign investments.

'We perceive that the pharmaceutical industry is sent for the first time the unequivocal message that our country is no longer a safe place for investments, after 20 years of investments and involvement on the Romanian market. In this context, when such unsustainable measure is being prepared, the pharmaceutical industry cannot guarantee to credit the system any more. The Romanian patients risk running out of medication due to these measures,' according to Dan Zaharescu.

Romania ranks fifth in Europe in point of the generic drugs entering the market, being compensated to patients over the counter, as they are included also in the National Programmes, where they are free.

Sursa: http://www.actmedia.eu

Tags: clawbacks about manufacturers drugs pharmaceutical