SUKL Confirms More Pharmacies Engaged in Illegal Export of Medicines

Bratislava, July 21 (TASR) - The State Institute for Drug Control (SUKL) has confirmed illegal re-exports of medicines by an additional 12 pharmacies in Slovakia, SUKL spokesperson Jana Matiasova has told TASR. According to SUKL's findings so far, 29 pharmacies in total have been involved in illegal re-exports of medicines worth over €7 million. "Based on SUKL's latest findings, twelve more pharmacies were added to the list of the original 17 involved in the illegal re-export of medicines. The volume of exported medicines has also been increased, it now exceeds €7 million," said Matiasova. The drugs in question were mainly cytostatics, immuno-suppressants, immuno-globulins and anti-depressives, added SUKL. "All these drugs have high prices in common. They are mostly biological medicines whose production is more expensive, and so the price abroad is higher than in Slovakia," explained SUKL director Peter Potucek. According to Potucek, fines amounting to €50,000 were proposed for the original 17 pharmacies, but, in view of the additional ones, higher fines could be imposed to create a sufficient deterrent. He declined to provide any more details due to the ongoing investigation. The Regional Prosecutor's Office in Banska Bystrica is dealing with the case. ko/df