Tuzan residents demand that the state pharmacy remain at its current location: "Health is not a business, but the right of every citizen"

Citizens in Tuzi protested today against the announced closure of the only state-owned pharmacy in the municipality, which has been run by the Montefarm health institution in the area. The rally in front of the Health Center was organized by citizen Husein Đoković, who said that the pharmacy must remain in its current location until a new one is equipped.

"Health is not a business, but the right of every citizen! The state pharmacy must not be closed! It must remain where it is, next to the Health Center, until the new location is equipped," said Đoković.

He warned that closing the pharmacy would mean that the municipality of Tuzi, until a new one opens, will be left without a state pharmacy, the only one that provides "absolute pharmaceutical health care at the level of the entire municipality."

"Our fellow citizens, pensioners, patients will have to travel to other municipalities for many prescription medications, for specific therapy for rare and serious diseases, biological medications, blood sugar test strips, diapers for bedridden patients, bandages, prescription medications at the expense of the Fund, and other things - which only Montefarm pharmacies issue on prescription," Đoković pointed out.

He said that Montefarma was ordered to vacate the facility and close the pharmacy this week, which, as he stated, "we cannot and must not allow."

"We call on all competent authorities of our state to react urgently and without delay and find a way so that our citizens are never without safe pharmaceutical healthcare! We demand that the state pharmacy continue to operate at its current location, until a new facility is found and equipped," he said.

Djokovic expressed dissatisfaction with the response of citizens and emphasized that, as he said, "they will certainly take to the streets when they feel the consequences."

"I expected a minimum of 100 people. I'm not doing this for myself, we have to take care of all citizens. I organized the rally at the request of citizens, who ultimately did not come. I find it very strange that Montefarma said that it would take them up to 12 months to equip the pharmacy. That's unrealistic to me, I want to believe that's the case. I'm sorry that people are left without therapy and have to go to Podgorica. The pharmacy is mainly used by older people who can't go to the city on these hot days," said Đoković.

Ljuljđuraj: "Closing is the worst option"

Pensioner Frano Ljuljdjuraj assessed that "the worst solution would be to close or relocate the pharmacy to another location," because that would involve time and additional effort for patients.

"I speak as a patient first and foremost - we would be put in an awkward situation. In this pharmacy, which has existed for half a century, citizens have always encountered understanding, I know because I am often there," said Ljuljdjuraj.

He believes that "it would be best to establish dialogue and contact between the Municipality of Tuzi and the legislative or executive authorities, and with Montefarma, in order to convince them that the worst option is closure."

"Citizens are used to this facility. It is common practice in democratic countries for facilities for shared medical needs to be located next to health centers, clinics, and we also have dentistry and pediatrics here. When a patient receives a prescription, the pharmacy is there, they don't have to spend anywhere and waste time, and even if there is bad weather - it is not a problem for them to walk a few steps. I believe that a solution will be found for the pharmacy to remain there and that this is in the interest of citizens and patients, who should have gathered in larger numbers today. All citizens, more or less, need this pharmacy to remain in the same location," said Ljuljdjuraj.

The business premises of the former pharmaceutical company "Galenika", where the state-owned pharmacy operated as part of the health complex in Tuzi, have been transferred to a private company. The new owner, the company "MK Nova Invest", has ordered the health institution "Montefarm" to vacate the premises by the end of the week.

Montefarm had been a tenant in the premises for the previous 12 years under a contract with the bankrupt company “Galenika CG.” After the premises were sold, Montefarm requested an extension of the lease or the option to purchase, but both requests were rejected.

This would mean that the municipality of Tuzi would, in the meantime, be left without its only state pharmacy, whose services are particularly important for patients receiving therapies for serious illnesses, as well as for beneficiaries of the Fund who exercise the right to be issued medical supplies and specialized preparations.