Specifications regarding the import of medicines into the Transnistrian region by the economic agents registered with the Public Services Agency

Chisinau reacts operatively, derogating from the legal terms on authorizing the import of medicines into the Republic of Moldova for the economic agents registered with the Public Services Agency (PSA) based in the Transnistrian region, in order not to endanger the health and life of its citizens living in the Transnistrian region.

Thus, on 18 March 2020, at the request of 2 economic agents registered in the Republic of Moldova, the authorization and import were processed through an accelerated procedure, and on 20 March – two batches of medicines through the crossing points and the authorized customs posts, just two days after receiving the Transnistrian party’s request.

We would like to mention that, according to the national legislation in force, the Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AMED) is obliged to ensure the efficiency and harmlessness of medicines.

On 24 March, medicines authorizations for 2 economic agents registered with the public institution PSA, were issued for other medicines consignments to be imported into the eastern districts of the Republic of Moldova in 5 vehicles. Considering that the total volume of medicines was to be introduced in the Transnistrian region by 3 economic agents in 5 common transport units, and one of them submitted the applications for AMED’s examination only on 24 March, the specialized Commission neither had the possibility to convene nor to issue authorizations for one of the mentioned economic agents, which is why we deny that Chisinau obstructs the activity of the economic agents.

The accelerated procedure during the emergency situation, agreed with AMED, for examining the requests of the economic agents operating in the Transnistrian region, provided that the goods remain within the given territory, is from 3 to 5 working days, depending on the requested volume of goods, as well as sending the necessary documentation to AMED 3 working days in advance.

On 23 and 25 March, respectively, the Transnistrian party requested the authorization of import of two other batches of medicines – decisions on them to be taken at AMED’s extraordinary meeting, scheduled for 26-27 March.

On basis of the Transnistrian party's requests, the Bureau for Reintegration Policies sends inquiries to the competent authorities, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection, the Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices and the Customs Service, for the operative authorization and for ensuring access to medicines of the population on the left bank of Nistru.

In this context, the Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, Cristina Lesnic, made an appeal to the Transnistrian party not to politicize this situation and to clearly inform the interested economic agents about the procedures.

We would like to remind that previously, the economic agents from the left bank of Nistru imported the necessary products from Ukraine directly, but, once the state of emergency was declared, Ukraine closed the border crossing points with the Republic of Moldova from the central segment. Thus, the import destined to the Transnistrian region can be done only through the customs points authorized by the Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova.

In conclusion, we remind that the economic agents registered with the Public Services Agency that ensure the import of medicines to the Transnistrian region, are offered a clear and accelerated procedure regarding the import of medicines destined for the eastern districts and in the spirit of the decisions of the Commission for exceptional situations:

a) The import is done through the opened border crossing points and the authorized customs points of the Republic of Moldova.

b) In order to receive the authorizations from AMED, the interested economic agents submit in advance the necessary documents and the form, at least 3 days before the intention to reach the border crossing point.

c) The extraordinary specialized Commission of AMED is convened for examination and issuance of authorizations within 3-5 days.

d) AMED will present the original authorizations to the Customs Service, and the economic agents will receive copies of the authorizations.

e) The Customs Service will provide the necessary procedures for the import of medicines.