Aze.US
Patients report that some pharmacy drugs no longer deliver the same results, while experts point to rising prices for high-quality imports, wider use of cheaper alternatives, and biological resistance to long-term treatments.
Public concern is increasing in Azerbaijan over the perceived decline in the effectiveness of medicines sold in pharmacies, with patients and medical specialists offering differing explanations for the trend.
Many consumers say treatments that previously worked after only a few doses now provide weaker relief or fail to resolve symptoms entirely, particularly in cases of flu and seasonal illness. The complaints have become more noticeable in recent years.
Medical expert Farid Musayibov notes that while high-quality European medicines remain available, their rising cost has reduced accessibility for a large share of the population. As a result, the market has shifted toward more affordable alternatives, which may deliver weaker therapeutic outcomes.
He also points to biological adaptation and growing resistance to certain long-term medications as another factor reducing effectiveness. This dynamic affects treatments for chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and rheumatic diseases, where sustained use can diminish clinical response over time.
At the same time, Azerbaijan’s Analytical Expertise Center says that all officially imported medicines undergo laboratory testing and are approved for sale only if they meet regulatory quality standards.
Authorities advise citizens who doubt a drug’s quality to file a formal complaint and provide both the medication and the purchase receipt, allowing regulators to verify legal import status, trace the sales source, and conduct additional laboratory analysis.
Officials say appropriate measures are taken if violations or quality issues are confirmed, while monitoring of pharmaceutical safety continues.