This was announced by Deputy Head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) of Russia, Timofey Nizhegorodtsev, during the 5th Russian Ensuring Drug Security Forum.
The criteria for the inclusion or exclusion of medicines from the list of Vital and Essential Drugs (VED) are outlined in Russian Government Decree No. 871. The FAS is part of the commission that makes such decisions in accordance with these regulations.
According to Mr. Nizhegorodtsev, populating the VED list with innovative medicines requires the establishment of two key processes: the removal of outdated and more expensive analogs, and prioritization of drugs that are more effective from both an economic and therapeutic standpoint. He emphasized that these processes must occur simultaneously.
In addition, further development of Russia’s pharmaceutical sector will depend on expanding innovative clinical practices, maintaining and supporting sustainable production of essential drugs, continuing a responsible pricing policy, and ensuring protection of intellectual property rights for bona fide market participants.
Nizhegorodtsev also raised the issue of access to the most advanced and complex medicines for children, including drugs not yet registered in Russia. The FAS actively cooperates with the "Circle of Kindness" foundation in negotiations with pharmaceutical companies on pricing for these medicines.
Prior to negotiations, the agency conducts a comparative analysis of international drug prices, using the lowest global prices as a benchmark. Outcomes of the talks are formalized in tripartite protocols, which are later used when signing contracts.
"By comparing market volumes across countries, the FAS clearly demonstrates to pharmaceutical companies the advantages of supplying medicines to Russia — even at reduced prices. As a result of this work, the foundation can procure drugs at lower costs and provide them to more children. The FAS’s participation in negotiations from 2021 to 2024 has helped save 21 billion rubles,"
the agency’s press service stated.
Source: FAS
