Current issue #6, 2018

Rating of the most influential subjects of the Russian pharma market, 2017 (Part 2)

This rating is based on research by Battersea Marketing and KPMG that unloved 525 experts in 33 cities of all Russia’s federal districts. This piece covers the most influential Russian and foreign manufacturers, distributors, pharmacy chains, entrepreneurs/CEOs, professional associations, politicians/government officials, specialized periodicals, websites as well as the most popular Rx and OTC drugs. To take into account the diverging opinions, PharmVestnik separately presents the responses by pharmacists (including pharmacy managers) and all other experts.

[PharmVestnik # 06, 20/02/2018, p. 1, cont’d pp. 10-12]

// Regulatory & Legal – Pharma Retailing

Experts refer to the bill that approves drug sales at stores as «detrimental»

On 12 February, the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted the debates on the bill “On amendments to the Federal Law ‘On drug circulation’” and Article 2 of the Federal Law “On fundamental healthcare principles in the Russian Federation” concerning drug sales via FMCG distribution channels. The debaters involved representatives of pharmacy businesses, professional associations, Ministry of Health, Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare and Social Development, and Federal Antimonopoly Service. The Ministry of Industry and Trade officials who have developed the scandal bill have ignored the debates.

[PharmVestnik # 06, 20/02/2018, p. 2]

// Regulatory & Legal – Patents

In Russia, Pfizer’s losses exceeded half a billion rubles due to generic launches before patent expiry

In Russia’s regions, the winner of about 30 biddings for supplying Pfizer’s sunitinib was the generic drug by Russian Nativa. Even though Pfizer’s originator drug is patent-protected until 2022, the Russian generic has made its way to civil commerce, and bids for this drug are invited. The originator manufacturer has taken court actions to stand against the generic’s further distribution, but to no avail as injunctive relief is missing from Russia’s court practice so far.

[PharmVestnik # 06, 20/02/2018, p. 3]

// Health Management

Russia still lags in oncotherapy solutions for children

On 15 February, the International Childhood Cancer Day was marked in more than 40 countries. Over the past decade, Russia has made significant advances in cancer management in children; however, certain major issues are still outstanding. One of such issues is that oncotherapy solutions fo...