Russia to increase public procurement of drugs against rare diseases

The Russian government will consider increasing funding of “Circle of Kindness,” the national public foundation specializing on the procurement of drugs for the treatment of children with rare diseases, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent.

As part of these plans, its funding could be increased by at least 6 billion roubles ($80 million) a year, while the number of recipients, will be expanded. The latter initiative has recently been put forward by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

So far, the fund has specialized on the procurements of high-priced drugs for the treatment of children with rare diseases, such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). However, as part of state plans it is beginning procurement of drugs also for adults.