YEREVAN.- Armenia’s pharmaceutical  companies will apply GMP (Good manufacturing practice) guidelines starting from January 1, 2012, said Samvel Zakaryan, CEO of Armenia’s Medicine Producers and Importers Union.

He recalled that the government postponed application of GMP guidelines for a year at the request of pharmaceutical companies. According to him, several companies are ready to apply for receiving relevant certificates.

After receiving certificates, the Armenian companies will be able to export their production to Europe or U.S.

Moreover, Russia and CIS states intend to ban imports of drugs not complying with GMP standards.

The Union says 14 pharmaceutical companies are functioning in Armenia, half of their production is exported, mainly to Georgia and Russia.