Drug prices in Russia to grow by 20% this year, despite state control

Drug prices in Russia may increase by 20% this year, according to a recent statement of Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev during his visit to Ufa.

Mr Medvedev explained: "Unfortunately, we face with an increase in the cost of drugs. In some regions, the growth has already exceeded 15%, compared to the same period of last year. According to experts, this year drug prices could rise by 20%. This is partly due to exchange rate fluctuations. However this is also the result of recent speculations."

He has added that the government carries out a special control for the prices for vital and essential drugs, the list of which was recently expanded. Mr Medvedev said that the government will do everything in order to prevent pushing out cheap drugs from the market. As part of these plans, the government will allow only a one-time indexation of prices for vital and essential drugs.