Russia's pharmaceutical industry is in crisis, and it's not just about politics. It's a matter of life and death.
The Great Divide:
Imagine a world where people are divided into two camps: those who swear by Russian medicines and those who desperately seek alternatives. This isn't a hypothetical scenario; it's the stark reality in Russia today. While some expats abroad yearn for Russian remedies, believing in their effectiveness, many inside the country suffer from chronic illnesses and struggle to access imported medications they trust.
A Personal Tale:
I know this all too well. Racing through Belarus in search of a Polish pharmacy, I was fighting for my life. The Russian allergy medicine I had purchased in Moscow, supposedly identical to my Serbian prescription, had failed me completely. And it's not just about allergies. My mother's Serbian doctors prescribed a lower, more effective dose than their Russian counterparts, and the cost difference was staggering. This isn't a new phenomenon; the quality of Russian drugs has been questionable since Soviet times, as satirists like Mikhail Zhvanetsky humorously pointed out.
A Terminal Stage:
But now, the situation has reached a critical point. A State Duma member suggests selling pills individually to save money, a proposal that's hard to laugh at when you consider the financial burden of medication. The cost of essential drugs is staggering, and the plight of the elderly with multiple ailments is dire. Subsidized medicine comes with the hassle of frequent doctor visits and pharmacy hunts.
Disappearing Imports:
Imported medicines are becoming scarce, with diabetes and epilepsy drugs vanishing from shelves. The Health Ministry's response? Russia has domestic equivalents. But this ignores the reality of chronic illnesses, where finding the right drug is a personal journey. Every body reacts differently, and side effects can come from more than just the active ingredient.
The 'Foreign Dominance' Debate:
At the Eastern Economic Forum, the issue of 'foreign dominance' in the pharmaceutical market resurfaced. A company vice president complained about the popularity of drugs from 'unfriendly countries,' despite having the same indications as Russian ones. The Deputy Health Minister vowed to keep resources within the country. But here's where it gets controversial—the ban on foreign drugs is no longer hypothetical.
The High Stakes:
Take the example of Glurazym and Vpriv, drugs for Gaucher's disease. The Russian drug, Glurazym, is cheaper, but the Irish-made Vpriv is more effective. The government's 'second is superfluous' rule for drug tenders favors Russian manufacturers, but at what cost? The true motive is financial, not patriotism. Regional officials are already struggling with high drug prices and tight budgets.
Bureaucratic Madness:
In Krasnodar Krai, a clinic's tender for syringes with plastic needle caps was deemed illegal by the Federal Antimonopoly Service, claiming discrimination against domestic producers. As a result, syringes across Russia may soon be without caps, despite the country's HIV epidemic. The Industry and Trade Ministry's plan to restrict imports of stents and catheters for state hospitals is another alarming development, potentially putting lives at risk.
The Innovation Myth:
Some argue that protecting domestic pharma fosters innovation, but the reality is different. Russian pharma giants profit by buying active ingredients from India, China, or Germany, then packaging and selling them. They often mess up, with batches containing too little active substance or improper processing. Counterfeit products and supply chain issues add to the chaos.
A Call for Action:
The situation is dire, and it's time to take a stand. The Moscow Times, labeled as 'undesirable' and 'foreign agent,' refuses to be silenced. We need your support to continue providing accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. Your contribution, no matter the size, helps defend open, independent journalism. Will you stand with us?
