The rise in the cost of essential medicines in Russia during 2023 stayed within the bounds of overall inflation, according to Sergei Glagolev, the Deputy Minister of Health. His comments were conveyed by the health department’s official communications.
Glagolev noted that after the pandemic, the regulatory framework was adjusted to support faster approval of medicines and medical devices that did not yet meet all national criteria. He explained that these changes aimed to address gaps in access and ensure that patients could obtain necessary treatments more promptly, even as the market continued to evolve.
Moreover, the deputy minister stressed that the Ministry of Health actively monitors the real-time availability, stock levels, and production capacity of medicines across the country. This ongoing surveillance serves to identify shortages early and coordinate responses to maintain steady supply and price stability for critical drugs.
In January, Glagolev commented that the range of affordable medicines in Russia narrowed markedly over the previous three years. The share of medicines priced below 100 rubles had fallen from 8.8 thousand options in 2020 to 4.6 thousand in 2023, signaling a substantial shift in affordability for many residents.
Earlier, members of the State Duma had discussed measures to broaden medicine availability, underscoring a policy focus on improving access to essential treatments for the population. The conversation highlighted ongoing efforts to align regulatory practices with public health needs and to reduce barriers to obtaining necessary medicines.
Pharmacists also noted challenges related to the supply of psychotropic medications in Russian pharmacies, which raised concerns about patient access to certain therapeutic options. The comments reflected ongoing concerns about balancing control, safety, and availability within the pharmaceutical supply chain.