In 2009, 265.9 million rubles will be allocated for free medicines for federal beneficiaries in Irkutsk, and drug deliveries have already begun after the annual auction. Authorities hope fixed prices and new procurement terms will avoid last years shortages and save money, though pharmacies still have hundreds of delayed prescriptions. This year the spending norm per beneficiary was also raised and the drug list updated, some medicines removed, others added, and some changed form.

In 2009, 265.9 million rubles from the state treasury will be allocated for the free provision of medicines to federal benefit recipients in the city of Irkutsk. This was announced at a meeting of the Higher Administrative Committee by Irina Gubanova, head of the city Department of Health and Social Assistance to the Population.
As of today, a tender for the supply of medicines has already been held and suppliers have begun receiving money. Depending on the number of benefit recipients, the amount will be indexed quarterly. Unlike last year, 2008, this time the tender was held for the entire year. Thus, suppliers are obliged to deliver medicines for benefit recipients at a fixed price. According to representatives of the department, this will make it possible to save a significant amount of funds, since the cost of most medicines is rising. I would like to remind you that last year in the Angara region there were constant disruptions in the supply of subsidized medicines. And even now there are hundreds of deferred prescriptions in pharmacies. The arrival of medicines is expected by January 25.
This year, it is planned to increase the financial expenditure per benefit recipient to 465 rubles. Last year, the standard of financial expenditure per one benefit recipient was changed three times: from 417 to 426 rubles. According to ZAO “ROSTA,” in 2008 federal benefit recipients in the city of Irkutsk received medicines free of charge worth about 321.45 million rubles under 487.67 thousand prescriptions. The average cost of a prescription was 659 rubles.
Irina Gubanova also said that medicines for benefit recipients are now being delivered to the city’s pharmacies. It is planned that by the end of January, medicines worth more than 15 million rubles will arrive.
Since January 1, 2009, the New List of Medicines has come into effect. Some drugs have been removed from the list (aspirin, verapamil), while medicines for the treatment of mental illnesses have been added. But mainly there has been a change in the dosage forms of medicines (tablets to capsules, etc.).