Russian Ministry of Health reveals new classification of drugs for domestic market

The Russian Ministry of Health has designed a new classification of drugs for the domestic pharmaceutical market.

It is planned that the new classification will be comprised of four drug categories, of which vital drugs, whose prices are regulated by the state, is expected to be one of the most important categories.

According to an official Ministry spokesperson, the government has made serious changes in the list of vital drugs, compared to previous years, through the inclusion of some new drugs for the treatment of orphan and life-threatening diseases with the aim to make them more affordable for the local population.

TO CONTINUE FUNDING EXISTING "7 DISEASES" STATE PROGRAM

Next year, the government plans to continue funding the existing "7 Diseases" state program, which involves purchases of some expensive drugs for patients with rare or orphan diseases. The government has also decided to continue purchases of such drugs by itself, without any transfer of its powers in this field to regional authorities.

At the same time, the government has also not ruled out the possibility of expansion of the list of vital drugs by March, 2015 after stabilization of economical situation in Russia.

As part of the classification, the government has also approved a minimal list of the drugs, which should be presented in each pharmacy of the country.

According to Elena Nevolina, head of the Russian Pharmacy Guild, a Russian association of pharmacies, this should ensure the presence of cheap drugs in domestic pharmacies.

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