FAS opposes OTC drug advert censorship
[PharmVestnik # 14, 25/04/2017, p. 2]
FAS not to check dietary supplement sales at pharmacies
Since November 2016, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has kept all supplement manufacturers suspended after FAS officials declared that one of the articles of the law “On fundamentals of the state regulation of commercial activities in the Russian Federation” would apply to dietary supplement sales both in distribution networks and at pharmacies. Having threatened with shifting to the grey distribution systems if the new regulations were approved, the Union of Dietary Supplement Manufacturers sent a letter to the FAS requesting to clarify the situation. In a couple of months, the FAS has calmed down the businesses.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 25/04/2017, p. 3]
IT engine for pharma
New technologies may change drug development approach
On April 20th, Moscow hosted the 1st International Conference “Digital Medicine”. The hosts’ main objective was exchange of experience of using the emerging opportunities of the interaction between medicine, biotech, and IT.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 25/04/2017, p. 6]
Seven Diseases program needs extra funding
The Seven Diseases program is rightfully the pride of the Russian healthcare system. Due to this program implementation, a radical turn has been made over the last decade in the rare disease treatment. However, it should be remembered that to make the results sustainable, extra government funding is required. The participants of the press conference dedicated to the World Hemophilia Day evaluated the demand for additional funding of the Seven Diseases program at 8.7 bn RUB.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 25/04/2017, p. 8]
Science to cooperate with business
On April 18th, Moscow hosted the Innovative Technology Forum. Many participants spoke about the Strategy of the Scientific and Technological Development of Russia until 2035 signed by President Vladimir Putin. Other topics included Russia’s export potential, innovative treatments for orphan diseases etc.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 25/04/2017, p. 8]
Experts discussed successes and problems of local insulin manufacture
In Russia, diabetes patients are covered with insulin, but they do not always have access to the most advanced and high-quality products. Diabetes mellitus screening leaves much to be desired as well. Experts estimate the number of diabetes patients at approx. 9 million. Local pharma companies are ready to provide for insulin coverage in full, despite controversies in respect of governmental preferences and restrictions. These issues were on the agenda of the roundtable discussion on April 19th within the framework of the 11th All-Russia forum “Health of the nation as the basis of Russia’s prosperity”.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 25/04/2017, p. 9]
Medical community insists on including primary immune deficiency into rare disease list
Next year, the International Classification of Diseases is scheduled for revision. This is a good reason to include immune deficiency disorders into the new ICD revision having grouped them into several types, thus recognize primary immune deficiency as a rare disease, and supplement the List 24. Russia has implemented screening and immunoglobulin replacement therapy projects for such patients. However, experts believe that a relevant federal program, if approved, will help both the patients and medical community to manage the disease more carefully.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 25/04/2017, p. 10]
17th Platinum Ounce contest results
On April 20th, the best pharmaceutical employers, distributors, pharmacies, pharmacy chains, social, and commercial projects as well as the most in-demand drugs as of 2016 received their awards.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 25/04/2017, pp. 12-13]
Pfizer’s portfolio cannot be localized at one site
Over the past few years, Pfizer has more than once transferred its drug manufacturing technologies to different Russian sites. Besides, the company is active in cooperating with Russian universities, research, and medical organizations. Pfizer Country Manager (Russia) Sofia KADYKOVA speaks about the company’s running localization projects and plans.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 25/04/2017, p. 14]
NovaMedica launched in-house R&D center
NovaMedica LLC, a Rusnano portfolio company, has completed a large development stage. In launched a technology center in Moscow that houses R&D labs as well as a pilot drug batch manufacturing area. The company plans not only to develop and manufacture its own products but also provide R&D services to other local manufacturers.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 25/04/2017, p. 15]
Review of market structure of drugs registered in Russia in 2016
It has been said that Russian pharma companies are able to produce generic drugs only, and are unable to create originator drugs of their own. Allegedly, they are limited to producing their own unique dosages and packaging, and their ultimate dream is a new combination of old INNs that may be positioned as a novelty. This review demonstrates what of the above is true, if any.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 25/04/2017, pp. 16-17]
Government drug procurement, 2016
Is half trillion rubles too much or too little? At first sight, this is a huge sum. If this sum spent on the government drug procurement in 2016, according to Cursor Marketing Agency, were uniformly spread over Russia’s total population, that would mean that each Russia’s citizen was provided with drugs worth nearly 3,500 RUB. Thus, the total expenditures do not look so huge. That is why the topic of rational drug procurement by the government has been gaining significance from year to year.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 25/04/2017, pp. 18-19]
Local manufacturers wait for government preferences
Most speeches delivered at the pharmaceutical forum hosted by Business Association “Network Northwest” (St. Petersburg) dealt with the problems because of which not a single special investment contract has been signed by pharma industry representatives so far.
[PharmVestnik # 14, 25/04/2017, p. 24]
