The RA Presidential Control Service has discovered rather interesting facts during inspections at the RA Ministry of Health.

Commission Chairman Hovhannes Hovsepyan told journalists that on the budgetary funds the ministry purchases medicines at a higher-than-market price.

Interestingly, the ministry purchased the medicines from importer companies at higher prices than drugstores. Moreover, the ministry does not test the quality of medicines supplied to Armenia as humanitarian aid. “The medicines are often of low quality or expired,” Hovsepyan said.

The Control Service revealed 177 violations in licensing drugstores. Unregistered or expired medicines of thirty-one names were sold by drugstores.

The Charity Commission also committed violations. Specifically, tax and customs benefits were grated to a number of economic entities under an alleged humanitarian mission. However, the transactions were not actually humanitarian ones. The Control Commission also revealed cases of sale of humanitarian aid. “Also, medicines received as humanitarian aid are sold to patients at hospitals,” Hovsepyan said.

He assured the journalists that all the law breakers will be punished. The RA Ministry of Health is headed by Harutyun Kushkyan, a member of the Prosperous Armenia Party (PPA). Interestingly, commenting on the rumors about Kushkyan’s resignation, PPA Chairman Gagik Tsarukyan said that the party is satisfied with its minister and has no intention to recall him.