The cost of medicines produced by "BelVitunipharma" will be 30-80% of the prices of foreign counterparts

December 4, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. The cost of medicinal preparations produced at RUPP "BelVitunipharm" will be from 30 to 80% of the cost of similar foreign medicines. This was announced today to journalists by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, who took part in the work of the headquarters for the construction of the first pharmaceutical enterprise in the region, according to a BELTA correspondent. By July 2010, a line for packaging and packing medicinal preparations will be put into operation at the new enterprise. The enterprise has reached an agreement on opening a foreign credit line for the purchase of equipment. It is expected that its installation will begin in February next year. The commissioning of the line will allow the enterprise to master the production of 50 types of medicinal products, 47 of which will be produced in tablet form, and the rest in gelatin capsules. These are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial drugs, as well as those intended for the treatment of cardiovascular and digestive diseases. The second stage of the project implementation is planned for the period up to 2011 and involves the creation of production with a full technological cycle: from obtaining the substance to the release of medicinal forms. In the total volume of production, solid forms will account for 68%, soft forms (ointments and gels) - about 11%, and the rest - sterile injectable preparations. The annual production volume will be about 100 million euros. The enterprise will be export-oriented. The third stage of production development provides for the creation of a scientific base together with the Vitebsk State Medical University and the production of original drugs. As Alexander Kosinets noted, the creation of such production will save significant foreign currency funds for the purchase of foreign drugs. "It is unacceptable for the import revenue of Belarus's key enterprises to be spent on the purchase of medicines," the governor believes. According to the concern "Belbiofarm", the capacity of the Belarusian market for medical preparations is $600 million, while domestic enterprises currently produce only $100 million worth of medicines. In addition, more than 1,000 new jobs will be created at "BelVitunipharm". Budget revenues will amount to about 1 million euros. -0-