“Chronicles of Turkmenistan” continues to monitor price fluctuations for medications in Turkmenistan. Since the last review, which was held in late November 2017, prices for medications have risen again.
Examples of increases:
Gerbion (syrup, 150 mg) from 26 to 31 manats (+19,23%)
Panangin Forte (60 pills) from 38 to 55 (+44,74%)
Viferon (3) 1.000.000 ME) from 96 to 105 (+9,38%)
Analgin 500mg/2mg (10 ampuls) from 11 to 15 (+36,36%)
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride 1ml (10 ampuls) from 15 to 25 (+66,67%)
Naklofen 75ml/3ml (5 ampuls) from 20 to 22 (+10%)
Ketonal 100ml/2ml (10 ampuls) from 43 to 47 (+9,3%)
Overall since late 2016 prices for medications have increased by 45,7%.Furthermore, as of today, the prices are rising much faster than before.For instance, in the first half of 2017 prices increased by 18% whereas over the past three months they have already gone up by 19%.
Peak prices were recorded in January, when the dollar exchange rate on “the black market” skyrocketed in Turkmenistan.
Turkmen residents are expecting a further price hike owing to the soaring dollar exchange rate and a 50% increase for petrol.
Correspondents of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” observe that not all medications are available in the country’s pharmacies. On the websites or in social networks residents often post requests to help them search for medications, especially for children. Moreover, many parents cannot afford to buy medications which their child urgently needs and ask for monetary help.
In November 2017 the cost of medical insurance increased by 50% from 2% to 3% of the salary.
At the same time, the list of medications that residents are entitled to buy at discount prices if they hold medical insurance was reduced by over three times.
Starting from February the fees in all medical and diagnostics facilities also increased. For example, MRI used to cost 200 manats whereas now a fee of 270 manats is charged for this procedure. The fee for ultrasound examinations has soared from 30 to 50 manats.