Medical expert Adil Geybulla has urged Azerbaijani authorities to include life-saving medications in the country’s mandatory health insurance (MHI) package to ensure treatment accessibility for citizens with chronic and post-surgical conditions.
Speaking to Metbuat.az, Geybulla noted that Azerbaijan currently lacks domestic pharmaceutical production and remains fully dependent on imports.
“Most of the medicines available in Azerbaijan come from Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Turkey, and India,” he said. “In Soviet times, we had a functioning pharmaceutical industry, but it was gradually lost. So when we speak of branded drugs today, we mean imported ones.”
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Ensuring Access to Lifelong Medication
According to Geybulla, patients who have undergone heart surgery or live with diabetes and other chronic illnesses must take certain medications for life.
“Their continuous and preferably free access to these drugs is critical for preserving health and preventing complications,” he emphasized.
He proposed that essential medicines – particularly those used to treat cardiovascular and metabolic diseases – be covered under the national health insurance system, calling it a “necessary reform for a fair and functional healthcare model.”
Concerns Over Improper Prescriptions
The expert also raised concerns about improper outpatient prescriptions, especially the misuse of antibiotics and potent drugs.
“Antibiotics should not be prescribed for home use without supervision. Intravenous infusions and injections that can cause allergic reactions must only be administered under medical control,” Geybulla said.
He called for stricter regulation and alignment with international medical standards to prevent health risks and promote rational drug use.
