Russian government plans to cut number of generics; controls on MNCs

The number of drugs in the Russian market will decline significantly over the next several years, due to state plans to reduce the number of medicines with similar active ingredients, according to Elena Maksimkina, director of department of drug provision and regulation of Russia’s Ministry of Health.

She added that, at present, some drugs in Russia may have hundreds of analogues, compared to about 10 in other countries. According to Ministry data, currently the Russian pharmaceutical market is comprised of about 5,584 branded drugs, of which 4,596 are purchased by hospitals, while the remaining 1,900 as part of preferential procurement state programs.

At present drugs occupy the second place in public procurement in Russia. In 2013 they accounted for 4.6% of all state purchases on the sum of 267 billion roubles (~$7.6 billion), reports The Pharma Letter's Russia correspondent.