Current issue #14, 2017

FAS opposes OTC drug advert censorship

Recently, the number of law violations in the OTC drug advertising area has appreciably grown. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) officials are concerned about the situation, and they call on pharma companies to be more careful in respect of their promo activities. In turn, pharma businesses, being apprehensive of potential lawsuits, request for more detailed and clear descriptions of what may be done, and what may be interpreted as violations. However, the FAS waves away additional regulations.

[PharmVestnik # 14, 25/04/2017, p. 2]

FAS not to check dietary supplement sales at pharmacies

Since November 2016, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has kept all supplement manufacturers suspended after FAS officials declared that one of the articles of the law “On fundamentals of the state regulation of commercial activities in the Russian Federation” would apply to dietary supplement sales both in distribution networks and at pharmacies. Having threatened with shifting to the grey distribution systems if the new regulations were approved, the Union of Dietary Supplement Manufacturers sent a letter to the FAS requesting to clarify the situation. In a couple of months, the FAS has calmed down the businesses.

[PharmVestnik # 14, 25/04/2017, p. 3]

IT engine for pharma

New technologies may change drug development approach

On April 20^th, Moscow hosted the 1^st International Conference “Digital Medicine”. The hosts’ main objective was exchange of experience of using the emerging opportunities of the interaction between medicine, biotech, and IT.

[PharmVestnik # 14, 25/04/2017, p. 6]

Seven Diseases program needs extra funding

The Seven Diseases program is rightfully the pride of the Russian healthcare system. Due to this program implementation, a radical turn has been made over the ...