Current issue #40, 2016

Russian manufacturers cannot reach common ground on three-stage preference structure

Around a month ago, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (Minpromtorg) published draft amendments to the government resolution No. 1289 of 30.11.2015 nicknamed the “odd-man-out” resolution. The debates on this document were just middling until large nongovernment organizations voiced their criticism regarding a three-stage structure of preferences for local manufacturers. Emotions on social networking sites were sometimes running high. It looks like the Minpromtorg has been wrong-footed.

[PharmVestnik # 40, 06/12/2016, p. 1, cont’d p. 9]

Pharma businesses need more accurate and longer-term forecasts

Forecasts presented by analysts virtually every month do not provide for creating in the heads of pharma top managers of a clear picture of the industry future development in Russia. When some say that the crisis is over while others demonstrate that the market is still going down, it is rather difficult to strike the right balance. The year 2016, as seen by business community spokespersons, feels like somewhat stable, but whether there is a risk of stagnation is highly questionable. Pharma businesses would like to look farther into the future, however analysts warn: it is not a problem to make long-term forecasts; the problem is that they do not make sense under the circumstances.

[PharmVestnik # 40, 06/12/2016, p. 2]

A reasonable reimbursement mechanism of drug coverage of children nonexistent in Russia

In different Russian regions, children entitled to preferential drug coverage are frequently offered pharmaceutical products not approved for them. As a rule, it is easier for regional authorities to make procurement for all beneficiaries without breaking them into categories. In such cases, the procedure is simpler, and the regulators ask less questions. A universal drug procurement mechanism for children is nonexistent so far.

[PharmVestnik # 40, 06/12/2016, p. 3]

Lost in the World Wide Web

Legalization of online drug sales to proceed in stages

On November 24^th, Moscow was the venue of the forum “Internet+Medicine” covering telehealth and online drug sales. It turned out that the regulators and officials interlinked these two notions; thus, legalization of online drug sales has been postponed until spring.

[PharmVestnik # 40, 06/12/2016, p. 6]

Struggle for quality underway

Experts seek to bring medical products control up-to-date

According to the Federal Service for Surveillan...