TIRANA, April 17 /ATA/Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Evis Sala, participated today in the National Pharmaceutical Conference, which this year also marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Order of Pharmacists of Albania.
Sala stated that “this anniversary is a great opportunity to reflect on the progress made so far, as well as to realistically assess the challenges that lie ahead.
“The pharmaceutical sector is one of the main pillars of the healthcare system. For this reason, strengthening it remains a national priority, with a clear objective: to ensure citizens have sustainable access to high-quality, safe, and effective medicines,” Sala said.
Minister Sala emphasized that concrete steps have been taken toward the reform and modernization of the pharmaceutical system, with the aim of moving toward a more transparent, efficient, and digitalized model.
“This process is essential for building trust, improving service, and ensuring a more sustainable functioning of the market. One of our priorities is to enhance access to innovative medicines, aiming not only at their introduction to the market but also at reducing the time it takes for patients to access them, in line with the best European practices,” she continued.
Sala also underscored that the pharmaceutical system requires well-balanced policies that take into account access, affordable pricing, and market sustainability.
“Achieving this necessitates careful decision-making and sustained collaboration with all stakeholders. In this context, maintaining an open dialogue with the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare professionals, and all system representatives is essential for the development of effective and long-term policies,” Sala emphasized.
“Regional and international cooperation also remains crucial, as challenges such as drug shortages or supply chain issues require close coordination and a joint approach, especially for small markets like ours,” Sala said, adding that concrete, tangible changes have materialized, referring to the adoption of the new government decision on medicine pricing.
“All of this aims to make the system more realistic and better adapted to market dynamics and the challenges faced by pharmaceutical companies. The goal is to build a more sustainable and predictable system, in the interest of both patients and market stakeholders,” she stated.
Sala said, “Every reform and every decision is centered on the patient. Our objective is to ensure equality in access and to meet the therapeutic needs of every citizen as effectively as possible.”
“In this context, the role of the pharmacist is increasingly important. They are no longer merely a link in the distribution of medicines, but a key professional in patient care and in the safe and rational use of medications,” Sala added, emphasizing that work is underway on a comprehensive revision of pharmaceutical legislation in line with European Union standards, as an important step toward raising standards and strengthening market safety.
Minister Sala described the conference as a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences, and build concrete collaborations for the future of the pharmaceutical sector in our country and beyond.
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