Latvia

Health systems in transition
Latvia
described earlier. Purchases are financed by the resources of individuals, or state
or local governments, depending on the institution’s ownership (Databases of
the HSMTSA 2007 [unpublished data]).
As of 1 June 2006 there were 3628 electromechanical medical devices
and goods entered into the medical devices and goods register. The purpose
of registration is to ensure patients’ safety while receiving health care
services that make use of the devices, as well as to monitor of the capacity of
medical technologies and staff competency (Databases of the HSMTSA 2007
[unpublished data]).
Pharmaceuticals
Regulatory framework
Latvia’s drug policy is primarily oriented towards availability and affordability
rather than support for competitiveness of domestic production.
Figure 5.4 shows the main institutions playing a regulatory role in the
pharmaceutical sector in Latvia.
The Pharmaceuticals Department of the Ministry of Health is responsible
for legislation and policy in the field of pharmaceuticals, and supervision
and licensing of pharmaceutical services. It operates within the international
system of drug control and carries out state policy in this area. Its legislation
is in line with:
•
•
the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961);
the Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971); and
Fig. 5.4
Administrative structure of the pharmaceutical sector
Ministry of Health
Pharmaceuticals
Department
State Agency of
Medicines
State
Pharmaceutical
Inspectorate
State Medicines
Pricing and
Reimbursement
Agency
Source: Authors’ own compilation.
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