Pharmacy chains complain about heavy fines for dispensing Rx drugs without prescription
[PharmVestnik # 28, 12/09/2017, p. 2]
// Regulatory&Legal
Pharma companies hope to see thei rproductson VEDand other lists
TheRussianMoH’scommissionresponsibleforformingvariousdrug lists continues reviewing potential candidates. Thecompanies that have already received approvals for listing their drugs are happy as being on a list frequently guarantees market expansion for a specific product. Butitistooearlytocelebrateas the final word rests with thegovernment; e.g. last year, Premier Medvedev’s resolution brought to naught all commission’s efforts.
[PharmVestnik # 28, 12/09/2017, p. 3]
// Vaccination
Each fluvaccination campaign stirs public debateon benefits and safety
TheWHOnamedthreefluvirus strains that will dominate in 2017—2018 epidemic season: flu B — Brisbane, and flu A — H3N2-Hong Kong& H1N1-Michigan. Publichealthauthoritiescalloncitizenstobevaccinated. InMoscow, mobilevaccinationunitshavebeen organized near metro stations. Atthesametime, opinionshavebeenvoicedthatdoubtvaccination benefits.
[PharmVestnik # 28, 12/09/2017, p. 9]
// Regulatory&Legal
Has RIA Panda headed for premeditated bankruptcy?
Twomonthsago, PharmVestnikbroughtupthesubjectofdefectivedietarysupplements.Inparticular, itconcernedcourtproceedingsinvolvingRIAPanda, andan independent investigation that confirmed that one of the manufacturer’s products contained tadalafil. Recently, thecompanyhas drawn attention to itself again. OnAugust 25, NabissLLCfiledasuitseekingto adjudge RIAPanda LLC to be a bankrupt. Thefactualbackgroundhintsthat premeditated bankruptcy cannot be ruled out.
[PharmVestnik # 28, 12/09/2017, p. 12]
// PharmaRetailing
Food retailers to put a lot of efforts before pharmacy project is implemented
Setting up pharmaciesinsupermarket checkout areasis abrand-newproject forpharmaceuticalretail. Sofar, X5 Retail Group has made major advancements opening Mega Pharm pharmacies at their stores. Magnit Retail Group openedjust four pharmacies. Themainquestioniswhetherthis undertaking is a success, because this will determine whether the project will be scaled up.
[PharmVestnik # 28, 12/09/2017, p. 13]
// HealthIT
Soft ware plat form toop timize health care expenditure
Themedicineandhealthcaredevelopmentproject Health Foresight presenteditscostoptimizationprogramforregionalhealthcareproviders. Implementationofcomputerization, interactivemathematicalmodels, andABC/VEN analysis will provide for optimum drug cost planning in the mandatory health insurance system and regional outpatient beneficiary drug coverage programs.Pilot projects based on this approach are currently underway in Bryansk and Novosibirsk regions, Udmurt Republic, and Tatarstan.
[PharmVestnik # 28, 12/09/2017, p. 15]
// HealthIT
Pharmacy software solutions aimed at efficiency stimulate mental block in regional staff
Pharmacy software manufacturers count on attracting independent pharmacy chains in Russia’s regions. Theybelievethatfuturepharmacychainassociationswillbe built on high-tech IT platforms. At the same time, the existing pharmacy associations doubt that software solutions will overcome conservative mentality of pharmacy managers in remote regions.
[PharmVestnik # 28, 12/09/2017, p. 16]
// Regulatory&Legal
FAS toughens drug advertising requirements
TheRussianFederalAntimonopolyService (FAS) toughens drug advertising requirements. Majorchangesweremadetoparagraph8, Part 1, Art. 24 oftheFederallaw “Onadvertising”; namely, drug adverts shall not guarantee product efficacy and safety.
[PharmVestnik # 28, 12/09/2017, p. 17]
// Insight
Pharmacy cosmeticsales, H117
Fromyeartoyear, pharmacy cosmetic productsbecomeincreasinglypopularwithcustomers. Whilesometimeago, cosmeticssoldthoughtpharmacy chainspresented avery specialproduct category, now virtually every pharmacy has such products on sale. CosmeticmanufacturersdonotonlyheavilyadvertiseonTVandradiobutalso put a greater emphasis on studies and large-scale testing. Asaresult, cosmeticproductshaveemergedthatcan managecustomer-specific disorders. DSM Group data serves to analyze pharmacy cosmetic sales as of the first six months of this year.
[PharmVestnik # 28, 12/09/2017, pp. 20-21]
// Insight
Finishedandbulk drugimportsto Russia, January—July 2017
AccordingtoRNC Pharma, 329.5B RUB worth drugs (including customs clearance costs + VAT) were imported to Russia over the first seven months of 2017, just 1.8% up y-on-y. Atthesametime, finisheddrugsuppliesgrewby8.2%, whilebulk product imports in rubles plunged by 24.2%. So far, this is the worst result in the past 3.5 years.
[PharmVestnik # 28, 12/09/2017, pp. 22-23]
// Insight
Cumulativerating of pharmacy chains and associations, H117
AccordingtoQuintilesIMS, theTOP10pharmacy chains and associations accountedfor31.72%oftheretailpharmamarket posting a 6.45% growth y-on-y. ASNAretains its top position witha9.33% market share in the cumulative rating that includes both pharmacy chains and pharmacy chain associations. Amongthe “classical” pharmacychains, 36.6 is still # 1 notwithstanding a fierce competition with Rigla ranking second. Consolidationofthetop-rankingcompanies continues. Market leaders pose a serious threat for smaller pharmacy chains and independent pharmacies.
[PharmVestnik # 28, 12/09/2017, pp. 24-26]
// HealthInvestment
Investor’s dilemma
InearlySeptember, renovationofIzhevsk City Clinical Hospital No. 6 (Udmurt Republic) for which a concession was granted was scheduled to be completed. However, the deadline has not been met. Expertssaythatthisisnotasolitaryexample; thiscasereflectsallproblemscommonfor public-private partnership in healthcare.
[PharmVestnik # 28, 12/09/2017, p. 29]
// PharmaManufacturing
Galenic manufacturer scales up
FloraKavkaza (CaucasianFlora) OJSCspecializinginproductionofherbalandgalenicdrugsbuildsupitscapacities. Supplierproblemsassociatedwithtoughening of regulatory requirements and implementation of the Unified State Automated Information System have forced the company to set up manufacturing ethyl alcohol 95% API on its own. Notwithstandingallgovernmentseffortsthathaverendered alcoholic drug production low-margin if not commercially unfeasible, FloraKavkaza is not going to give up galenic manufacture.
[PharmVestnik # 28, 12/09/2017, p. 29]
// HealthcarePrograms
AIDS management approachesin Russia
AIDSistheterminalstageofHIVinfection. According to Rosstat, the number of HIV infected subjects in Russia has been growing at a rate exceeding 10% a year.In2005–2015, thenumberofAIDSpatientsincreasedfrom234,000to 581,000; therefore, the development and implementation of AIDS management measures is one of top priorities.
[PharmVestnik # 28, 12/09/2017, p. 30]
