Stock up on medicines – they will soon become more expensive!

In 2009, experts predict a rapid increase in prices on the market of medicinal products. It is assumed that in a few months prices will increase by almost a quarter. The sad consequences of this process may be, firstly, a reduction in the consumption of medicines available on the commercial market, and secondly, their shortage for beneficiaries. The elderly and socially unprotected segments of the population will have the hardest time of all, writes the newspaper "Vremya Novosti".

The tendency to rise in price began to be traced at the end of last year, while foreign medicines became more expensive due to the devaluation of the ruble, domestic ones - due to surcharges due to the financial crisis. First of all, prices were rising for previously inexpensive drugs (up to 150 rubles). Foreign medicines worth more than 500 rubles in price grew more slowly: since the beginning of 2008, this category has risen in price by 4%. Recall that domestic manufacturers supply only a quarter of all medicinal products to the market.

According to experts, if the average annual ruble exchange rate remains at the level of 30 per 1 dollar, medicines will rise in price by an average of 23% this year. For comparison: in 2008, the price increase was about 12%, in 2007 – only 3.6%.

Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru13.01.2009