Moldova advances public health reforms amid industry opposition and regulatory audit

Moldova's parliament and health authorities are pursuing sweeping regulatory changes across public health, pharmaceutical, and consumer sectors. Lawmakers have approved the first reading of a bill tightening regulations on tobacco and electronic cigarettes, introducing revised health warnings and expanded transparency obligations for producers.

Concurrently, public health officials raised concerns over the market launch of nicotine pouches by Philip Morris, which faces an impending statutory ban scheduled for June 2026 despite company claims that sales remain legal until 2027.

In healthcare management, a Ministry of Health investigation into the Medicines and Medical Devices Agency revealed systemic flaws, including over 1,200 pending registrations and database vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, beverage producers have urged the government to cancel a planned 2027 excise tax of 1.60 lei per liter, warning of price increases up to 34 percent.

Sources: Moldova1, Newsmaker, Point, Ziarul de Gardă.