Russia to sharply reduce share of imported drugs in domestic market

The share of imported drugs in the Russian pharmaceutical market should significantly decline over the next six years, while most of them should be replaced by domestic drugs.

Such requirements became part of the Healthcare Development Strategy, a new state strategy in the field of pharmaceutics, which has been recently approved by Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the document, 90% of all drugs for the Russian healthcare system must be produced within the country. This requirement also applies to vital drugs.

While Western sanctions have not affected drug supplies in the Russian market, over the past three years, 28 foreign pharmaceutical companies have left Russia. That led to the reduction of the range of available drugs in the local market. According to data from the Russian pharmaceutical research agency DSM Group, foreign drugs still account for half of pharmacy sales in Russia at present.