Pharmacy chain 36.6 completely done away with inventory shortage
[PharmVestnik # 14, 19/04/2016, p. 1, cont’d p. 5]
By brand alone
Drug promotion strategies appreciably changed in crisis
When operating under the pressure of the changed economic environment, pharma companies are forced to shift the emphasis of their business strategies in order to retain their market positions. New end customer demands that change familiar trends come to the fore. Currently, strong brands are losing their advantages giving way to less costly analogs. Nonetheless, experts are sure that the segments will soon strike a balance, and washing-out of cheaper drugs will continue.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 19/04/2016, p. 2]
Type state bidding specifications to help save billions of rubles
The local pharmaceutical and medical industry was able to objectively evaluate its dependence on imports only when the ruble plummeted. Being on the investment activity peak in the pre-crisis period, manufacturers proved to be unprepared for the economic perturbations of 2014—2015 as APIs, polymers, reagents as well as virtually all process equipment had been purchased abroad. The Russian industry would have collapsed without government support at that time. Such conclusion was made by the participants of the All-Russia Congress of Pharmaceutical and Medical Industry Workers held in early April in Moscow.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 19/04/2016, p. 4]
“We’ll be able to set up bad pharmacies ourselves”
Alexander Filippov on his vision of pharma market
Pharmacy chain Rigla CEO Alexander FILIPPOV was the recent guest of the “Editorial Fireplace” rubric. He explained why one of the oldest pharmacy chains in the Russian market (Rigla is nearing its 15th anniversary) would not develop by way of M&A’s.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 19/04/2016, p. 6]
Leonid Roshal’s public association capable of influencing Russia’s healthcare
In April 2016, Russia’s National Medical Chamber marked its 6th anniversary. All these years, the chamber was led by Leonid Roshal, Director of Research Institute of Children’s Emergency Surgery and Traumatology. It may be stated now that a powerful professional association has emerged that intends to take medical aid to the next level. For example, this association, together with the MoH, is ready to up-end the healthcare personnel training system. The only thing Mr. Roshal has been unable to do so far is to increase healthcare funding.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 19/04/2016, p. 7]
Two INNs are better than one
BIOCAD failed litigating drug set registration practices
Moscow Court of Arbitration has not complied with BIOCAD’s suit against the Russian Ministry of Health. The manufacturer tried to challenge the issuance of a marketing authorization for Beyodime consisting of two different INNs, i.e. pertuzumab and trastuzumab.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 19/04/2016, p. 8]
No hangover effect
According to DSM Group, hangover medication market reduced by 65% over past 7 years
Despite the assertion that hangover is allegedly Russia’s national disease, analysts provide evidence that the hangover medication market has been shrinking for the 8th year running.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 19/04/2016, p. 8]
“Evergreen” patents hinder development of competition
The patenting ideology boils down to the following: the society grants the patent owner an exclusive right to the knowledge he/she has brought to people. Patent specialists are sure that otherwise there will be no progress. However, according to the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) officials, unjustified patenting hinders fair competition. They insist that there is an endless patenting malpractice in Russia that needs to be stopped. The FAS offers to legalize forced licensing as an efficient tool supporting the development of competition.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 19/04/2016, p. 9]
Sign of fullness
Local manufacturers waiting for preferences in respect of full-cycle drugs
Opinions vary regarding the actual drug manufacturing situation in Russia. Some experts offer data demonstrating that there is a full-cycle manufacture of more than 60% of the VED-listed drugs; others, on the contrary, bring evidence that the manufacturing sector critically depends on imports and that the local API production is virtually nil. PharmVestnik tried to find out how things actually are.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 19/04/2016, p. 11]
Russia’s pharmacy sector report, 2015
Strange as it might seem, the pharmacy sector of the Russian pharma market managed to reflect the competing expert forecasts as of 2015. Wherever growth was forecasted, the sector grew in value terms; wherever a slight reduction was predicted, this prediction was supported by the sector’s dynamics in real terms; the forecasted collapse was evidenced by the sector’s dramatic plunge in the USD. The past year has not provided a clear answer to the question whether the Russian market has come through the crisis stopping point or if it still sliding down. This analytical report based on IMS Health and Russia’s Federal Statistics Service data investigates the most significant trends and interesting facts of the past year.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 19/04/2016, pp. 12-13]
Looking at crisis through prism of optimism
Report on Russia’s medical equipment and device market, 2015
Unfortunately, an assessment of the results of the medical equipment and device market operations as of 2015 boils down to statement of obvious facts. The sector that has such high degree of import dependence (we evaluate the local products share in this sector at 15—17%), operating in an unfavorable economic environment, going through raw material price cuts, reinforcement of economic sanction, and general production output reduction, a priori cannot yield good results. However, like any other important event in public life, crisis may be considered from different viewpoints. Therefore, while pinpointing the major negative results of the year 2015, we will at the same time try to find the “grounds for optimism”, however small, that can mitigate the general picture and, ideally, help identify the growth points for the Russian medical industry.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 19/04/2016, pp. 14-16]
Intestinal infections, or getting ready for vacation season
Summer, a season of fruit and recreational activity, is close by. However, trips abroad, to summer camps, and even vacation spent in a country house may be overshadowed by intestinal infections that are a typical sign of a warm season. It is these infections that determine the seasonal demand for a wide range of enterosorbents.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 19/04/2016, p. 17]
“Incubation” conditions
Medical universities of North Caucasus Federal District to form a cluster
April 15th was the deadline for submitting the development strategies for research and education medical clusters being set up in all federal districts pursuant to the MoH’s order. Earlier, the draft strategies were discussed and corrected in Moscow. Professor Vladimir KOSHEL, Rector of Stavropol State Medical University, told PharmVestnik about the directions for the North Caucasus cluster development.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 19/04/2016, p. 22]
Novosibirsk “landing troops”
Acquisitions of Novosibirsk pharmacy chains by out-of-town companies continue. Interregional discount pharmacies have taken a strong hold in the city market. Now the list of “aliens” is supplemented by classic pharmacies from Kemerovo and Krasnoyarsk. Despite the high concentration of pharmacies, large retailers still choose Novosibirsk as a site for further growth.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 19/04/2016, p. 23]
Russia’s medical gas market shows positive dynamics
Despite a reduction of the Russian pharma market growth rate against the background of the general economic crisis, there are segments still demonstrating a sustainable growth. Thus, the medical xenon niche grew 10-fold over the past 5 years. This is not a limit as scientists continue discovering new applications for xenon that is a natural inert gas.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 19/04/2016, p. 23]
