Russia to provide priority for domestic drugs for state tenders

Domestic drugs and foreign drugs, the production of which is localized in Russia, will be given a priority when included in the list of vital and essential drugs (VED) and expensive drugs, according to a recent resolution signed by the Russian government, The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent reports.

Currently the list of such drugs is compiled by a special commission of the Ministry of Health, and approved by the government. According to the Russian state, the revised version of the rules suggests a new approach to the comprehensive assessment of drugs applying for inclusion in the list of vital and essential drugs and the list of expensive drugs.

It is expected the priority during state tenders will be given to the drugs with the highest level of localization. According to the state, the updated rules "will ensure the stability of drug supplies in Russia in the context of sanctions pressure."