Independent pharmacies yield to price competition
[PharmVestnik # 25, 16/08/2016, p. 1, cont’d p. 4]
GMP inspectors reveal non-conformity of drug master files and real manufacture
One of the most frequent questions that pharma companies ask addressing to the GMP Inspectorate and the Ministry of Industry and Trade is as follows: What will happen if GMP inspectors reveal non-conformity of the master file data for the drugs imported to Russia and real-life manufacturing processes? Representatives of some businesses are sure that the final expert reports should not reflect such discrepancies. Judging by their active stand when supporting their viewpoints at the workshop that was hosted by the State Institute of Medicinal Products and Good Practices in late July, such cases are far from being occasional.
[PharmVestnik # 25, 16/08/2016, p. 2]
Local vaccines
The government to discuss a list of drugs subject to complete localization
The Ministry of Health continues working on a list of immunobiologicals to be manufactured in Russia based on a full cycle. To the knowledge of PharmVestnik, on August 5, a draft list was submitted to the Russian Government Expert Council.
[PharmVestnik # 25, 16/08/2016, p. 3]
Manufacturing costs of pharma companies to be checked
President V. Putin entrusted the Federal Antimonopoly Service with checking feasibility of Russian drug manufacturers’ costs proceeding from the world raw material and API prices. Experts have a positive attitude towards such action, but they do not hope that the state price regulation situation may resolve soon.
[PharmVestnik # 25, 16/08/2016, p. 4]
Diseases untypical for Russia drive diagnostic tools development
In the beginning of August, the Federal Service for Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare reported the 6th Zika infection case in Russia. Simultaneously, the authorities continue eliminating the effects of the malignant anthrax epidemics in the Yamal peninsula. Scientists are sure that these are links in a chain, i.e. the effects of the global climate change. It is impossible to control this process; therefore, the only way out is to be adjusted. Apart from monitoring anomalous natural phenomena, it is necessary to develop diagnostic methods for unusual diseases in order to be able to diagnose every unclear case and come up with an adequate treatment.
[PharmVestnik # 25, 16/08/2016, p. 6]
Immunization of children may become mandatory
The Federal Service for Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare considers introducing legal responsibility in respect of the parents who refuse from immunization of their children. The agency’s head Anna Popova speaking to young physicians mentioned, in particular, the experience of certain foreign countries where sanctions have been used against immunization opponents for a long time with due effect. However, there is a feeling that in Russia such initiative may encounter serious obstacles.
[PharmVestnik # 25, 16/08/2016, p. 7]
Full-cycle export
Foreign countries interested in Russian technologies, too, not solely in Russian drugs
Export of local products evolves as one of the trends of the Russian government industrial policy. Currently, export orientation is being mentioned increasingly often together with import substitution. It primarily goes about non-CIS states. Since early 2016, Iran has turned into a promising international market after economic sanctions had been lifted. Russia has its own chances with Iran in the pharmaceutical field, judging by Petrovax Pharm’s experience.
[PharmVestnik # 25, 16/08/2016, p. 9]
Ministry of Health develops a drug marking pilot project
The Ministry of Health started developing a draft resolution “On pilot pharmaceutical marking using control symbols”. In January 2017, the MoH intends to launch a pilot drug-marking project jointly with relevant agencies. Pharmaceutical manufacturers are ready to help the agencies make sure that such approach works.
[PharmVestnik # 25, 16/08/2016, p. 9]
Individual pharma market players hope for government support
Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov met with Russian pharma industry players to discuss special investment contracts from the viewpoint of their adjustment to specific industries in order to create tools for a more flexible application of such contracts. Geropharm representatives proposed a preferential approach to local companies. The meeting participants differed in their opinions regarding this initiative.
[PharmVestnik # 25, 16/08/2016, p. 10]
Polar approaches to drug price regulation proposed
Against the background of the population income drop, disputes regarding drug pricing become especially fierce. President V. Putin entrusted the Federal Antimonopoly Service with analyzing drug prices, while regional governors and city mayors were ordered to get drug coverage under control. Besides, the government entrusted the Ministry of Healthу with exploring the issue of VED prices in order to stimulate their manufacture localization in Russia. Meantime, experts debate on ways to keep down the price growth and whether that needs to be done at all. There options were proposed: 1) curbing price growth; 2) making low-cost drugs free of charge; or 3) deregulating the cheapest drug prices.
[PharmVestnik # 25, 16/08/2016, p. 12]
Not the right time for growth
TOP100 pharmacy chains, H116
Over the first six months of 2016, the pharmacy sector totaled 462.8 bn RUB, -0.93% down year-on-year. More figures on this sector can be found in the AlphaRM report.
[PharmVestnik # 25, 16/08/2016, pp. 13-15]
Importing and packing
Structural specifics of drug import to Russia, H116
Over the first half of 2016, the dynamics of the drug import to Russia was positive both in real terms (+8%) and value terms (+12% in RUB). In fact, it may be stated that the crisis is over, and the long-awaited stabilization is on in this market sector. Yet, these are global observations, and the details are more complex and versatile. This report by RNC Pharma portrays certain specifics of drug import to Russia that are usually out of scope of traditional industry analysis.
[PharmVestnik # 25, 16/08/2016, pp. 18-19]
Where the market goes
Out-of-pocket drug segment, H116
This analytical report by DSM Group covers market forecasts, price segment dynamics, and top-ranking players among ATC groups, drug INNs, trademarks, and manufacturers.
[PharmVestnik # 25, 16/08/2016, pp. 20-22]
Pharmaceutical retailers believe there are too many pharmacies in Russia
Leaders of 58% of pharmacy chains surveyed by KPMG believe that the number of pharmacies in Russia needs to be limited by law. Pharmaceutical retailers from the Urals explain whom of their competitors they would like to “take off the table”.
[PharmVestnik # 25, 16/08/2016, p. 24]
Uneconomical “cost saving”
Neurologist’s opinion on drug therapy prospects
One-year cost of an adequate drug treatment for a Parkinson patient is 250 thousand RUB. All attempts at optimizing the costs do not only fail to solve the problem but also make it more aggravated. This was the main topic of the interview given to PharmVestnik by Andrey DRUZHININ, a neurologist from Bekhterev Research Psychoneurological Institute (St. Petersburg).
[PharmVestnik # 25, 16/08/2016, p. 25]
