Moldova pushes public health rules amid industry pushback and agency audit

Moldovan authorities and industry representatives are clashing over healthcare reforms, regulatory tightening, and proposed fiscal measures. Parliament approved in its first reading a bill introducing stricter packaging warnings and reporting requirements for tobacco products and electronic cigarettes. Simultaneously, public health officials raised concerns over Philip Morris introducing nicotine pouches ahead of a statutory ban taking effect in June 2026, with the manufacturer arguing sales remain legal through June 2027.

Concurrently, a Ministry of Health inspection at the Medicines and Medical Devices Agency revealed critical administrative failures, including over 1,200 backlogged registration files and state registry security flaws. Meanwhile, non-alcoholic beverage producers urged the government to scrap a planned 2027 excise tax of 1.60 lei per liter on sweetened and energy drinks, warning the levy could inflate retail prices by up to 34 percent and trigger job losses.

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