Current issue #10, 2018

A bill on upgrading penalties for corruption in drug procurement introduced to State Duma

State officials took another attempt at curbing corruption, this time through targeting kick-backs in drug procurement. On 12 March, the State Duma received from President of Russia a bill on toughening criminal liability for corrupt practices in the government drug procurement process. Already on 20 March, the deputies reported that they were ready to make amendments to this bill within the next few days and initiate the first reading on 30 March. However, market players suspect that 8 years of imprisonment the bill sets forth for major violations will not stop real Russians.

[PharmVestnik # 10, 27/03/2018, p. 1, cont’d p. 6]

// Regulatory & Legal – General

Loopholes in law provide for unfair competition

Dietary supplement manufacturer Mertsana has been in litigation for several years trying to prove that its trademarks have been misappropriated by an unfair competitor. At the same time, the complex court system results in a situation where a proven fact of trademark misappropriation may, in the worst-case scenario, be disproved by a higher instance. In the best-case scenario, protracted legal proceedings will leave the party affected without remedy at law. The trademark owner suspects the respondent in an attempt at stealing dozens of millions of rubles from the former’s accounts.

[PharmVestnik # 10, 27/03/2018, p. 2]

// Health Strategies & Programs

Pharma-2030 Strategy to be introduced to Russian Government in June

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has set to develop a Pharma-2030 program. On 19 March, a meeting was held on the development of a new strategic document that will outline a general policy for the pharma industry. The work on the document will continue in April and May, while in June it is scheduled to be presented to the Russian Government for review.

[PharmVestnik # 10, 27/03/2018, p. 3]

// Pharma Industry – ...