Price control advocates propose a cherry-picking approach to subsidizing Russian manufacturers
[PharmVestnik # 34, 25/10/2016, p. 1, cont’d p. 2]
Government procurement preferences for API manufacturers to be limited in time
The Russian government is drafting amendments to the resolution No. 1289 of November 30th, 2015, aka the “odd-man-out” regulation. The draft document includes the long-awaited provisions of preferences for API manufacturers. At the same time, on closer examination, it proved that they would be in effect only for two years.
[PharmVestnik # 34, 25/10/2016, p. 3]
New register to prevent drug drain from healthcare institutions to secondary market
The National Pharmaceutical Register (NPR), a company established in last August, is actively penetrating the drug manufacturing sector to disseminate its ideas. Even though the NPR representatives are not being received heartily, the initiators of developing a platform for tracking each drug pack’s route from the manufacturer to a pharmacy are quite sure that this system will find its rightful place on the market. Moreover, the company asserts that it will take not more than three years to implement a unified register if business circles support this undertaking. The industry, in turn, is in deep contemplation so far.
[PharmVestnik # 34, 25/10/2016, p. 4]
Russian government starts drug procurement reform
President Vladimir Putin asked Federal Antimonopoly Service Director Igor Artemiev to interact closer with law enforcement agencies regarding abusive practices in respect of drug pricing and public procurement. According to President, no lawsuits have been initiated in this field so far despite all ambitious statements. Now the officials have two paths to go, i.e. either initiating a couple of proceedings or starting a reform. On closer examination, it proved that the second path is heavily counted on.
[PharmVestnik # 34, 25/10/2016, p. 5]
An export breakthrough
Pharmaceutical companies seek to enter international markets
Biocad, a Russian biotech corporation, continues conquering foreign markets. According to experts, the company owes its success both to Skolkovo Innovation Center and government support. However, far from all pharma companies have been so successful. Many Russian pharmaceutical startups suffer from lack of attention and investment. On the other hand, they are facing a rather closed domestic market, therefore will also be looking for an opportunity to sell their innovative drugs outside Russia.
[PharmVestnik # 34, 25/10/2016, p. 6]
MPs looking for those hoarding the money allocated for pharma industry development
According to some MPs, the implementation of the state program for the pharmaceutical industry development for 2013—2020 was not sufficiently effective in 2015. Thus, a few import substitution targets have not been reached. Such conclusion was made on October 13th by the State Duma Committee for Public Health regarding a draft law on the federal budget implementation as of 2015.
[PharmVestnik # 34, 25/10/2016, p. 7]
R-Pharm to start a construction project in Turkey until the end of 2016
The tension between Russia and Turkey put a question mark over R-Pharm’s pharmaceutical plant construction project in Turkey. However, the political situation has normalized. Within the framework of the 8th International conference “What is going on in the pharmaceutical market”, R-Pharm CEO Vasily Ignatiev gave a TV interview on the current situation in Turkey, tragedy at Helmholtz Eye Research Institute (Moscow) as well as R-Pharm’s international expansion.
[PharmVestnik # 34, 25/10/2016, p. 8]
Immunomodulator advertising may be prohibited
Sergey Furgal, a member of the State Duma Committee for Public Health and a member of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, proposed to prohibit immunomodulator advertising as, in his opinion, such advertising was just a fraud and money chase. At the same time, many specialists believe that the immune system may be reinforced no matter how unscientific that might sound. As far as abusive practices associated with advertising immunomodulating agents are concerned, these may be regulated using the legislation already in effect.
[PharmVestnik # 34, 25/10/2016, p. 9]
Pharmacy chains are sure that they will be able to dictate terms to manufacturers as soon as market leaders accrue sufficient market shares
The Russian pharmacy sector has taken a firm stand on the consolidation path; however, experts believe that it is too early to assert that the consolidation process is actively underway. Recently, this sector has been agitated by the news on certain unexpected deals, but the sector representatives differ in their comprehension of consolidation: some say that it will not be possible to accrue one’s market share without M&As; other assert that an honest approach is an organic growth. One more trend that has been clearly manifest for several years running is pharmacy chains’ optimistic mood. Despite the recession, pharmacy businesses continue building up their monetary “fat”.
Within the framework of a special session at the 7th Pharmacy Summit, pharmacy chains’ representatives were asked questions as follows: What changes must occur in pharmacy retail sector that will make it possible to speak about the start of a serious consolidation? Will such consolidation develop organically or exclusively as M&As?
[PharmVestnik # 34, 25/10/2016, p. 11]
A study on investigators
Status of Russian clinical trials market
Multiple requirements are imposed on the drug clinical trials market by regulatory authorities, businesses, and consumers of the drugs being developed and registered. This report offers a view of the Association of Clinical Trials Organizations on the trends and problems of today’s clinical trials market.
[PharmVestnik # 34, 25/10/2016, pp. 12-13]
Anti-anxiety and anti-depression medications: a pharmacy sector report
Anxiety and depression are two affective disorders that often cross over. The signs common for both disorders are a negative emotional experience, pessimistic mood and attitude to life in general, feeling worthless, frequency of suicidal intentions and attempts as well as nonproductiveness of mental and other activity. However, psychiatrists find a lot of differences in the clinical picture of these disorders. A specific marker of such disorders prevalence in a society is a level of anti-anxiety drugs and antidepressants consumption.
[PharmVestnik # 34, 25/10/2016, pp. 14-15]
Medical technology park deprived of land
Acad. Meshalkin Institute of Circulation Pathology (Novosibirsk) has been deprived of the opportunity to organize a 6.5 bn RUB-worth medical technology park on its territory. The development project included the deployment of science-intensive medical equipment manufacturing facilities on the land plot adjacent to this worldwide renowned institute. However, pursuant to the court judgment, this land plot will be included in the municipal forest area where no construction is allowed.
[PharmVestnik # 34, 25/10/2016, p. 17]
Who is to pay for drugs?
Up-to-date drug affordability remains a “mission impossible”
In the opinion of St. Petersburg Chief Clinical Pharmacologist Alexander Khajidis, the fact that each new drug is much more expensive than the previous one does not necessarily mean that it is more efficacious to the same extent. Therefore, when developing a drug coverage policy, it is impossible to do without health economics that provides for determining the best price/efficacy ratio for each drug. This was the topic of Mr. Khajidis’ opening speech at the 11th International Scientific Congress “Rational Pharmacotherapy”.
[PharmVestnik # 34, 25/10/2016, p. 17]
