Russia's pharmaceutical industry is facing a critical juncture, with its self-imposed isolation having far-reaching consequences. The country's medicine problem is not a new phenomenon, but it has now reached a critical stage, impacting the health and well-being of its citizens.
There are stark differences in opinions regarding Russia's pharmaceutical market. On one hand, you have expats desperately seeking Russian medicines or their local equivalents, believing they hold the key to their ailments. On the other, there are Russians suffering from chronic illnesses who view any domestically produced medication with skepticism, often preferring imported alternatives.
This divide is exemplified by the author's personal experiences. They recall a life-threatening situation where an allergy medication purchased in Moscow failed to work, leading to a near-fatal anaphylactic shock. This incident highlights the long-standing issue of drug quality in Russia, a problem that dates back to Soviet times.
The problem has now escalated to a point where it is impacting the most vulnerable. A recent proposal by Airat Farrakhov, a member of the State Duma Budget Committee, suggests selling pills individually to save costs. This proposal, while seemingly absurd, reflects the dire situation faced by many Russians, especially those with chronic illnesses and limited financial means.
The Health Ministry's response to the shortage of imported medicines is to promote domestic equivalents. However, this approach fails to acknowledge the unique needs of individuals with chronic conditions. Every person's body reacts differently to medications, and finding the right treatment often requires trying various options. The ministry's logic of focusing solely on the active substance is simplistic and ignores the complex nature of treating chronic illnesses.
The issue of "foreign dominance" in the pharmaceutical market was raised at the Eastern Economic Forum. Dmitry Kudlai, vice president of Generium, complained about drugs from "unfriendly countries" outselling Russian ones. The deputy health minister promised to keep resources within the country, but this protectionist approach has led to a ban on foreign drugs in government tenders.
The stakes are high, with companies like Generium standing to gain significantly from this ban. The state's fixed purchase price for Glurazym, a drug used to treat Gaucher's disease, is significantly higher than the cost of the Irish-made Vpriv, which is more effective and often easier to find.
The true motivation behind this patriotic talk of "domestic pharmaceuticals" is money. The state's preference for domestic drugs, even when they are more expensive and less effective, is driven by the financial interests of pharmaceutical companies. This protectionist approach has led to regional officials grumbling about the high costs and limited budgets, with some even proposing to offload the burden of buying imported drugs onto charities.
The situation is further complicated by bureaucratic madness. The Federal Antimonopoly Service has ruled that medical syringes with plastic needle caps, which prevent accidental scratches and maintain sterility, discriminate against domestic producers. This decision, which has been adopted by regional FAS offices, will result in syringes across Russia being sold without caps, despite the country facing a real HIV epidemic.
The government's protectionist policies are not limited to pharmaceuticals. The Industry and Trade Ministry plans to restrict imports of stents and catheters for state hospitals, which are crucial for emergency heart surgeries. From July 2026, public hospitals will no longer be able to use imported stents, leaving those who cannot afford private clinics with limited options.
Some may argue that the government is protecting domestic pharma to foster innovation, but the reality is far from that. Russian pharmaceutical giants rely on importing active ingredients from countries like India, China, and Germany, and then mixing them with fillers and selling them as their own. This approach, while profitable, lacks the innovation and research that true pharmaceutical advancement requires.
The consequences of this self-imposed isolation are dire. Counterfeit products and substandard drugs are finding their way into pharmacies, and even basic antibiotics are disappearing due to supply chain issues. The government's focus on import bans and protectionism is hindering the development of real labs and the training of scientists.
The situation is a stark reminder of the importance of open markets and the free flow of goods and services. Russia's self-imposed isolation in the pharmaceutical industry is not only impacting its citizens' health but also hindering its ability to innovate and compete on a global scale.
The views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Moscow Times. The Moscow Times is facing unprecedented challenges and needs your support to continue its independent journalism. Please consider supporting us to ensure the continuation of accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia.
