Current issue #5, 2017

Rating of most influential subjects of the Russian pharma market, 2016 (1)

PharmVestnik presents a traditional annual rating of the most influential subjects of the Russian pharma market as of 2016. This part of the publication covers the rating methods as well as some of the categories ranked such as Public persons; Pharma media; Websites; Rx drugs; and OTC drugs.

To be continued in the next issue.

[PharmVestnik # 05, 14/02/2017, p. 1, cont’d pp. 4-5]

It is proposed to remove homeopathic remedies from the healthcare system

The Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) declared homeopathy a pseudoscience and recommended that the Ministry of Health (MoH) removed homeopathic remedies from circulation at state and municipal healthcare institutions. It was also recommended to mark the packaging with a special sign clearly indicating the absence of evidence-based clinical efficacy and indications for use. Special recommendations were also issued for the Federal Antimonopoly Service, Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare and Social Development, Eurasian Economic Commission, and insurance companies. Special attention was paid to patients, pharmacists, general practitioners, and homeopathists themselves. The MoH has hastily convened a Working Group to sort out the situation.

[PharmVestnik # 05, 14/02/2017, p. 3]

RAS Commission memo may change pharma market structure

PharmVestnik has an analytical summary of homeopathic manufacturers sales as of 2013—2016. This document explains the differences in the marketing research data on the homeopathic segment and makes it possible to assume that the RAS Commission memo on combating pseudoscience may be targeted at a specific manufacturer.

[PharmVestnik # 05, 14/02/2017, p. 3]

Another stage may be added to the three-stage structure

The Russian government and pharma community continue working on API manufacturers support measures. Currently, API production setup reimbursement and low-interest loan instruments are in place; the only instrument lacking is the one to provide for a guaranteed demand. While a relevant solution in the finished drug segment was not hard to plumb (i.e. the “odd-man-out” regulation), the situation in the API segment is more complicated as APIs are not procured by the government. The initially proposed three-stage structure has been heavily criticized. Lengthy discussions yielded a more complex support structure proposed by the Governmental Expert Council (PharmVestnik has a relevant document copy).<...