Current issue #17, 2015

Yes probably no

Discussion on potential deregulation of advertising Rx drugs in the media gaining momentum

[PharmVestnik # 17, 26/05/2015, p. 1, cont’d p. 4]

Pharma industry seeking for a driver

The keynote of the 21^st Russian Pharmaceutical Forum hosted in St. Petersburg on May 19—21, was the topic of the economic crisis – and not only in Russia. How can the interests of the pharma industry and the state be harmonized in a tough financial situation? Do companies have adaptive market strategies? Is investing in the Russian pharma sector promising today? The forum participants were looking for answers both to the above-listed and some other questions.

[PharmVestnik # 17, 26/05/2015, pp. 2-3]

The history of an acquisition

Interros will be developing its pharmaceutical asset

Research and Production Association Petrovax Pharm, one of the few Russian enterprises that managed to market its R&D results, started actively looking for a partner three years ago. It turned out to be highly sought-after. It sparked an interest of such giants as Abbott and Pharmstandard. As a result, the company’s controlling share was sold to Vladimir Potanin, the owner of Interros Group. This deal struck the market as unexpected. Rumor had it that Interros intended to resell this asset. An opportunity presented itself for PharmVestnik reviewer Elena Kalinovskaya to ask directly Natalia PUCHKOVA, Petrovax Pharm’s co-owner and Deputy Chairman of the Board.

[PharmVestnik # 17, 26/05/2015, p. 5]

Pressed on all sides

Distribution businesses adjusting to new reality

“The health of the entire pharmaceutical market depends on how distributors are doing”; these were the opening words by Andrey Obruchnikov, Takeda Russia’s Commercial and Logistics Director, who moderated the distribution network session at the 21^st Russian Pharmaceutical Forum. It turned out that the Russian pharmaceutical distributors were doing not so bad and were ready for self-development and providing new services. The main things are the competition not being very tough, and pharmacies making payments on time.

[PharmVestnik # 17, 26/05/2015, p. 6]

Tomorrow better than yesterday

Pharmacy chains discussed an outlook for demand and supply

At the pharmaceutical retailing session within the framework of the 21^st Russian Pharmaceutical Forum, the speakers dwelled on “blood issues” and “evil magic”[1]. At least, it was the way the topic of this session was presented by PharmVestnik Editor-in-Chief Herman Inozemtsev, who moderated it. Notwithstanding the fact that the debates have not yielded further metaphors, it may be concluded that most pharmaceutical retailers know about the “housing issue” firsthand.

[PharmVestnik # 17, 26/05/2015, p. 7]

Vigilance in a new fashion

Russian companies will have to spend time and money to adapt to new pharmacovigilance requirements

On July 1, 2015, new provisions on pharmacovigilance of the law “On Drug Circulation” will come in force. They aim at finding out adverse reactions and evaluating their severity, as well as on training and risk management. Facilities that fail to implement pharmacovigilance procedures within the timeframe provided for by the law may see their marketing authorizations getting nil and void. PharmVestnik reviewer Anna Kurskaya discussed what was in store for pharmaceutical companies with Olga LOGINOVSKAYA, Quality and Corporate Development Director at FlexDatabases, a provider of integrated software solutions for drug development and testing processes computerization, including those for pharmacovigilance.

[PharmVestnik # 17, 26/05/2015, p. 8]

…Paved with good intentions

Experts believe that corruption may skyrocket provided stricter drug price control is imposed in regions

Regional authorities will control VED-listed drug prices at pharmacies. Premier Dmitry Medvedev signed a relevant regulation in early May. Notwithstanding a somewhat agitated attitude of the media to this governmental initiative, the industry took this document with reserve. This regulation, being quite populist, will definitely help control VED prices; however, it will never be a guarantor of a stable presence of such drugs in the Russian market.

[PharmVestnik # 17, 26/05/2015, p. 9]

Turnover of health reforms

Over 20 years, Russia has failed to develop a classical health and social insurance model

In his regular Address to the Federal Assembly, Russia’s President stated that, in reality, insurance medicine never operated properly. PharmVestnik decided to find out why. PharmVestnik reviewer Elena Kalinovskaya discussed the formation of the Compulsory Health Insurance (OMS) system in Russia and the main problems pertaining to this system with prof. Vladimir GRISHIN, Dr. Sc. (Economics), honored economist of Russia, the first COO of the Federal Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (1993—1998) and presently Chairman of the Board of OJSC MSM-MEDIMPEX.

[PharmVestnik # 17, 26/05/2015, pp. 10-11]

Prescription from Big Pharma

International pharmaceutical manufacturers evaluated Russian government’s anti-crisis actions

Representatives of big international pharma companies discussed the recent strategic initiatives of the Russian government to prevent a potential drug crisis in Russia. They cautioned the regulatory authorities against introducing parallel import and forced licensing, supported the introduction of long-term contracts, discussed VED price indexing, and evaluated risks of investing in the Russian market.

[PharmVestnik # 17, 26/05/2015, pp. 12-13]

APIs ask for money

Russian companies are ready to start manufacturing APIs in exchange for serious preferences

The Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Economic Development, and Ministry of Finance, prior to June 1, have to develop and submit to the Russian Government the actions for supporting API manufacturing in Russia as well as determine which of them are most feasible in terms of being manufactured locally. Premier Dmitry Medvedev instructed the relevant agencies this way. When reporting on the Russian government activities at the State Duma in mid-April, he made a point that 80% of the basic drugs shall be manufactured using local facilities, and that API manufacturing shall be set up in Russia.

[PharmVestnik # 17, 26/05/2015, p. 14]

Knowledge and intuition: searching for an optimum balance

Marketing research as part of corporate business processes

The quality of all processes related to marketing research is directly connected with the quality of the company’s business processes as a whole, as testified by many-year experience of conducting such research.

[PharmVestnik # 17, 26/05/2015, p. 21]

Vertical racing

When building a career at a pharmaceutical company, it is necessary not only have a clear idea of one’s development path, but also take an active participation in the relevant projects. For managers, it is important to manage the employees’ expectations while acting based on a current development plan.

[PharmVestnik # 17, 26/05/2015, p. 23]

Not the last judgment

Increasingly frequently, the Russian pharmaceutical companies bring their controversies to courts of arbitration instead of state courts. The former examine the cases quickly, with high quality, and without territorial limitations.

[PharmVestnik # 17, 26/05/2015, p. 23]

Enticing in the Net

iPharma: developing a web marketing system at a pharmaceutical company

Today, the Internet plays one of the key roles in our life. Russia led Europe in terms of the Internet user numbers back in 2012, and by the end of 2014, the number of the Russian Internet users aged ≥ 16 years reached 67.5%, or more than 80 million. The total “internetization” has triggered a rampant development of digital technologies that are currently widely used, among others, by pharmaceutical companies.

[PharmVestnik # 17, 26/05/2015, p. 24]