Current issue #8, 2018

Sberbank developed multi-resistance to innovative pharmaceutical projects

Ironically, Sberbank, Russia’s # 1 innovative bank, would frequently resort to red-tapery if low-interest loans for innovative projects are requested. Promomed that has launched a full-cycle production of “reserve” antibiotics has been successful in synthesizing a novel API but has failed to “synthesize” a Sberbank-funded project. Even though this project had got under the control of President of Russia, and the Industry Development Fund approved the loan of 300M RUB at a 5% interest rate, the bank maintained impossible claims for a letter of guarantee. Formerly, the API manufacturer Active Component has found itself in a similar situation.

[PharmVestnik # 08, 06/03/2018, p. 1, cont’d p. 4]

// Pricing – Pharma

Pharma pricing reform delayed

The new pricing procedure for VED-listed pharmaceutical products kept the Russian pharma business on the alert throughout the 2^nd half of 2017. Pharma companies were apprehensive not so much of new pricing techniques as of being compelled to reregister all drug prices overall. Now the reform has been postponed indefinitely.

[PharmVestnik # 08, 06/03/2018, p. 2]

// Health Funding

Financial experts approved health expenditure growth

The report ‘Healthcare: Indispensable Responses to Challenges of the Times’ has not sparked any public outcry despite the media headlines covering the allegedly proposed fee-for-service medicine health services. This report was prepared with assistance of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, was presented to President Vladimir Putin back in May 2017, and has been since improved with assistance of Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation. The public got acquainted with a presentation of this document a full version of which has not been published yet in late February 2018. Meantime, it is quite possible that the pharma industry will live in accordance with the scenario outlined in the report for the next few years. At the instruction of President of Russia, the Center for Strategic Research developed a Russia development strategy for 2018—2024 that included a healthcare block. It cannot be ruled out that Vladimir Putin running for presidency will propose this very program to his voters.

[PharmVestnik # 08, 06/03/2018, p. 3]

// Monitoring – EAEU

Kazakhstan accepted the first marketing applications to be executed in accordance with EAEU regulations

Kazakhstan’s regulatory authority was pr...