Baku: On May 4, the 2nd international conference titled ‘The Pharmaceutical Industry of Azerbaijan: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow’ was held at the Heydar Aliyev Center, supported by the Public Union ‘Azerbaijan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association,’ the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Economy, and the Embassy of Hungary in Azerbaijan.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the conference gathered representatives from state institutions, foreign experts, and local pharmaceutical manufacturers. These participants delivered presentations and engaged in discussions on the current state of Azerbaijan’s pharmaceutical sector, future prospects, strategies for strengthening domestic production, and opportunities for implementing advanced international practices.
Azerbaijan’s Minister of Health, Teymur Musayev, highlighted the development trajectory of the pharmaceutical industry. He noted the institutional foundations established under National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the progress made under President Ilham Aliyev, driven by reforms, industrial parks, and investments. The minister also pointed out the role of digital systems such as e-prescriptions and drug tracking in enhancing transparency and efficiency.
Subsequent speeches by Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Health Ahliman Amiraslanov, Hungarian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Tam¡s J³zsef Torma, Deputy Minister of Economy Samad Bashirli, and Chairman of the Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of Azerbaijan (KOBIA) Orkhan Mammadov emphasized the importance of strengthening local production and ensuring access to safe medicines. They also highlighted the need for public-private partnerships, innovative technologies, and the adoption of international standards in the pharmaceutical sector.
The conference included a panel discussion on ‘Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in the Future of the Pharmaceutical Industry.’ Adviser to the Minister of Health Rufat Hajiyev remarked on the priority of digitalizing the healthcare sector. He stated that this effort began in 2023 to strengthen drug control, combat counterfeiting, increase market transparency, and improve healthcare service quality. The use of modern technologies was noted for enhancing efficiency and supporting a competitive industrial model.
The conference aimed to share knowledge and innovative ideas to facilitate the development of the local pharmaceutical industry. A key focus was on exploring international best practices in local production, with contributions from senior representatives of Trkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Hungary, who shared their expertise and practical experience.