Russia may face drugs shortages in future due to new labeling system

Russia may be faced with a shortage of drugs in the future, due to the forthcoming transition to a new system of drug labeling that may lead to huge interruption in medicines supplies to the country, according to an official spokesman of the Russian Ministry of Health, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent.

By 2019, all drug importers and producers operating in Russia must begin labeling drugs using a new technology that requires producers to make certain investments in its introduction, the amount of which is estimated at "several million dollars for a single plant."

In addition, starting from 2019, all producers should be connected to the new information system, which is operated by the Russian Federal Tax Service (FTS).