Disgraceful Situation. The Minister of Health Fails to Control the Situation

Videos promoting clinics and pharmacies offering various medications in our country are frequently appearing on social media platforms. However, these advertisements lack mentions of the licenses for the activities of these clinics or pharmacies, as well as the advertising permit granted by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia. This is a gross violation of the advertising conditions set by the Ministry of Health, suggesting that numerous healthcare institutions and companies are engaging in illegal activities in our country.

There are many examples flourishing due to the inaction of the Ministry of Health. 'Due to changes in social platforms, monitoring advertisements has become exceedingly difficult. Yes, we have very strict requirements for advertisements on television and other media, and they are easy to control. But when countless websites and users post ads on social media, the problem becomes much more complicated. In the licensing department, we continuously conduct monitoring through search methods and, upon detecting violations, we refer to the inspection bodies. However, overall, this problem is relevant not only in Armenia but also in various countries around the world,' said Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan today.

This raises a question for the minister: How is it that Auroranews and many other citizens notice and record these violations, while the ministry does not? How is it that various healthcare institutions have been violating the law for a long time and continue their illegal activities without punishment? How is it that television companies and other media outlets are under strict control by the Ministry of Health, scrutinized with a so-called microscope for compliance with all details, while social media is in a state of complete disarray?

Anahit Avanesyan's statement also indicates that she and her agency do not have a handle on the situation. The picture is as follows: strict requirements have been established for advertising, which the Ministry of Health is unable to apply properly. Yes, using social platforms, numerous clinics and pharmacies are doing whatever they please with their advertisements. Another question arises for the minister: What was the purpose of establishing such conditions for advertising if they are easily circumvented? The responsibility lies with the Ministry of Health and Minister Avanesyan, who presents the presence of countless websites and users on social media as a justification. This is nothing short of disgraceful.

This is yet another vivid example of leaving an accepted law hanging in the air, which must first receive a strong response from the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Auroranews presents advertisements published on social media regarding healthcare institutions that lack information about licenses as well as the advertising permissions granted by the Ministry of Health. These videos have also slipped past the ministry's attention. Following this publication, Auroranews will closely monitor the actions and measures the Ministry of Health will take, as well as what specific penalties will be applied for these violations.