Current issue #13, 2018

Fundamental changes in subsidized drug coverage have become imminent

Experts believe that the fundamental changes in drug coverage of the population groups eligible for benefits that will require political will from the government include cancellation of benefits monetization, implementation of pharmaceutical insurance, and transfer of the orphan disease treatment funding to the federal level. The reform supporters are sure that by canceling monetization the state will stop inappropriate expenditures of the funds allocated for subsidized drug coverage. State Duma deputies and experts discussed the current situation and future developments in the pharmaceutical market on 4 April at the Parlamentskaya Gazeta (Parliament Newspaper) venue.

[PharmVestnik # 13, 17/04/2018, p. 1, cont’d p. 4]

// Regulatory & Legal – EAEU

EEC does not consider Russian labeling an obstacle for EAEU drug market

In early April, Kazakhstan’s mass media announced the government plans for implementing by 2023 an internal tracking system for imported drugs based on 2D DataMatrix barcodes applied to secondary packaging. In Russia, a similar pilot project has been completed, and drug labeling will become compulsory staring from 2020. Within the framework of the EAEU common pharmaceutical market, the development of such system that will require an integration of all five member-states is at the stage of discussion.

[PharmVestnik # 13, 17/04/2018, p. 2]

// Health Insurance

Nearly 9,000 insurance agents operate in Russia

Russia’s Health Minister Veronica Skvortsova believes that health insurance companies champion the main human right to health. Mrs. Skvortsova said it in so many words at a meeting that summed up the results of the work of the insurance agent institution established in 2016. The Minister’s words are likely to be taken as a response to Chairwoman of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko who has recently stated that the current mandatory health insurance (MHI) system was useless. It looks like the main fight over the MHI system is still ahead.

[PharmVestnik # 13, 17/04/2018, p. 4]

// Regulatory & Legal – Dietary Supplements

Pharmacies may lose part of their product range because of supplement labeling

From 1 July 2018, Mercury Federal Veterinary Information System will become fully operative in Russia. The system aims at tracking products ...