Proprietary super drugs will land in Russia

Head of the Russian Ministry of Health told that clinical development programs of novel drugs to combat lethal diseases are underway.

90% of vital drugs must be manufactured inside the country before 2018. The target was set by Dmitry Medvedev, while assessing a session of the presidential Commission for Modernisation of Russia’s Economy.

Forecasts say in several years’ time the Russian market of medicinal products will exceed a trillion roubles (about 28.8 billion U.S. dollars), while a share of the domestically produced products is still slightly over one fourth.

To develop own manufacturing capabilities for drugs and medicinal products is not only an economic objective but also a social project. Our people shall have an opportunity to purchase reasonably priced and, preferably, locally manufactured drugs, - Medvedev noted and agreed that in the context of the public procurement procedures, local drugs shall be prioritized.

Veronika Skvortsova, Head of the Russian Ministry of Health reported that an updated list of vital and essential drugs will be published on July 15 with prices regulated by the state. The Minister also told that unique HIV vaccines of the local manufacture will hit the Russian market any time soon. According to Skvortsova, the registration of some anti-inflammatory and oncology specific medicines is underway. She also said that 33 innovative drugs have been registered in Russia in 2013, with 3 of the domestic origin in use for TB and VHC treatment.

In general terms, Russian pharmacists are on the eve of the revolution in the market of biopharmaceuticals, Skvortsova assures. At least 10 innovative unrivaled biopharmaceuticals are expected within three years for the treatment of main lethal diseases.

- These drugs represent a novel therapeutic approach of targeting key molecular elements involved in regulation of multiple pathways important for disease development and progression which results in an increased patient’s life expectancy, - Skvortsova said.