Local pharma “teenagers” snap at “old-timers”
[PharmVestnik # 13, 18/04/2017, p. 1, cont’d p. 6]
MoH does not consider pharmaceutical insurance a 2017 priority issue
On April 12th, the Russian MoH’s annual Board meeting was held to sum up the 2016 results and set targets for 2017. The key speaker at such meetings is the health minister. The minister’s speech is a message of the kind to all healthcare workers regarding the emphasis of the government health policy for a specific year. This year, Health Minister Veronica Skvortsova put much emphasis on resource-saving methods and changes to this end, including drug coverage. However, she said nothing about pharmaceutical insurance.
[PharmVestnik # 13, 18/04/2017, p. 2]
Logistic companies disclose their expectations in respect of pharma
The logistic operators segment on the pharma market has been growing, which is indicative of several trends, e.g. Russian pharma manufacture growth, and pharmacy chain aggregation. Regional pharma distributors have stepped up their businesses in Moscow region as well. Pharmaceutical logistics leaders speak about trends important for the segment overall.
[PharmVestnik # 13, 18/04/2017, p. 5]
Healthcare faces H-hour
Russian Federal subjects have a little more than a year left to implement in full the Presidential orders voiced back in 2012. It goes about a significant reduction of infantile death rate as well as mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases, neoplasms, tuberculosis, and traffic accidents. However, experts acknowledge that if one compares the 2018 targets and current parameters, it will become evident that regional authorities will not be able to do without extraordinary actions, which present a general danger.
[PharmVestnik # 13, 18/04/2017, p. 8]
Changing the system
Factoring may become major factor for pharma industry
Factoring has been gaining ground on the Russian market overall, and in the pharma sector. Experts believe that factoring will be instrumental in resolving the nonpayment crisis in the pharma industry. Besides, due to financial solutions provided by factoring, the market may undergo systems changes, i.e. pharmacy chains will be better motivated to sign direct agreements with manufacturers.
[PharmVestnik # 13, 18/04/2017, p. 12]
Experts propose developing a separate hereditary disease prevention strategy
Expert estimates indicate that the number of patients with hereditary diseases increased by 24% over the past four years. In 2016, approx. 5 bn RUB were spent for drug coverage of this patient group. At that, specialists assert that a smart hereditary disease prevention strategy, including a wider screening range, will help the government target this patient group more precisely.
[PharmVestnik # 13, 18/04/2017, p. 15]
Rare does not mean impossible
Physicians and patients decide how to organize orphan disease treatment
The list of orphan diseases may be extended shortly. On the initiative of patient associations and medical community, the Ministry of Health is working on relevant changes to the Federal Law No. FZ-323 “On fundamental healthcare principles in the Russian Federation”. One of the causes for the list extension is Pompe's disease that is extremely rare but dangerous. This is a genetic disorder that is characterized by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-glucosidase causing progressive glycogen build-up and, as a result, muscle atrophy. Given regular replacement therapy, Pompe's disease patients may live a productive life as, e.g., most diabetes patients. However, because this disease is very rare, physicians are not always capable of diagnosing it on time and prescribing the drug that is not manufactured in Russia, and that until recently has not been registered in this country.
[PharmVestnik # 13, 18/04/2017, p. 18]
Internal problems hampering Russian medical industry
In mid-April, PharmVestnik Editor-in-Chief visited Innomed exhibition in Penza, Russia. He shares his findings on the difficulties and prospects of the establishment of local medical equipment and device manufacture.
[PharmVestnik # 13, 18/04/2017, p. 19]
Turning from import substitution to export of pharmaceutical products and medical services expected
PharmVestnik Editor-in-Chief visited the health tourism exhibition and conference Hestourex-2017 in Antalya, Turkey, to assess medical services export prospects and share his views of foreign currency flows to the Russian healthcare system.
[PharmVestnik # 13, 18/04/2017, p. 21]
Russian out-of-pocket segment dynamics, December 2016 — February 2017
Virtually every year in December, the Russians rush to pharmacies to buy-in more pharmaceuticals. This happens before a financial crisis when everyone is apprehensive of price hikes; at a crisis peak when the personal financial situation would rather demand for saving; and when overcoming the crisis. Nobody has found out yet the real reasons underlying December drug demand waves. However, we can see how these waves affect the demand in the next two months, and what drug groups lead the ranks riding on these waves.
[PharmVestnik # 13, 18/04/2017, pp. 22-23]
Review of government procurement of antineoplastic and immunosuppressant agents, 2015—2016
In each period of its development, healthcare focused on different disorder types. In the 1st half of the 20th century, the focus was on infectious diseases and relevant treatments; in the 2nd half – on cardiovascular disorders and appropriate medications. In the 21st, cancer has come to the fore, and the focus has shifted to cancer drugs. Due to high cost and social significance of anti-tumor treatments, government procurement of antineoplastic and immunosuppressant agents are high-profile media topics. This review is based on data provided by IAS Zakupki (Purchases).
[PharmVestnik # 13, 18/04/2017, pp. 24-25]
Healthcare funding results as of 2016, and 2017 forecasts
In 2016, the trends of the past few years persisted in respect of the government healthcare funding, i.e. during the year, federal budgets have been revised downwards. Regional budgets, on the contrary, mainly went up both in terms of total healthcare expenditures and drug coverage funding.
[PharmVestnik # 13, 18/04/2017, p. 26]
Innovative drugs remain inaccessible
The 8th International Business Forum “Northern Dimension” hosted by St. Petersburg was the site for discussion of innovative drug accessibility for the Russians.
[PharmVestnik # 13, 18/04/2017, p. 33]
