Russian government's latest moves on drug labeling and pricing policy

The Russian government plans to start investigation of the activities of some leading domestic and global drugmakers operating in the local market, due to their activities for the prevention of introducing a system of drug labeling in the country, according to recent statements by Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, reports The Pharma Letter’s Russia correspondent.

According to recent statements of Mr Shuvalov, the introduction of the drug labeling system is opposed by some powerful industry’s lobbyists and producers.

Mr Shuvalov comments: “Lobbyists say labeling will lead to the leaching of a cheap segment of the market from domestic pharmacies and lesser access of consumers to drugs. In fact, this is untrue, as drugs will become more affordable. They will be absolutely verified, there will be no contraband, and there will not be any counterfeit."