Imported pharmaceutical prices have begun rising again after a brief dip in 2022, according to Kommersant. The agency notes that from January through May, the cost of several imported medicines increased by 40–100% compared with the same period a year earlier.
The surge is linked to a weaker ruble and the necessity of sourcing products through intermediaries amid ongoing sanctions. Analysts warn that higher costs for raw materials could push medicine prices higher in the coming months.
For instance, the price of seawater used to manufacture nasal sprays such as Snoop and Linaqua jumped by about 101% to 97 rubles per kilogram. Dioxomethyltetrahydropyrimidine used in methyluracil ointments rose by 62% to 1.05 thousand rubles per kilogram. The fraction used in venotonic drugs like Venarus and Detralex increased by 57%, and the acid used in the hepatoprotector Ursosan climbed by 44%. Lactulose, a laxative ingredient in Duphalac, rose by 38% year over year, according to RNC Pharma.
RNC Pharma estimates that roughly 80–85% of Russian medicines are produced with imported materials. DSM Group reports that in 2022 material imports into Russia grew by 50% in physical terms and by 11% in monetary terms, totaling 25.3 million kilograms and 2.3 billion dollars, respectively.
Nikolai Bespalov, Development Director at RNC Pharmaceutical, notes that the cost of imported materials started to climb after a 3.1% price drop in 2022. Analysts think a renewed decline in the ruble in June–July could accelerate the rise in prices for imports, though most do not expect purely negative scenarios.
Geropharm indicates that the pricing pressure also reflects sanctions. With difficulties locating new suppliers while keeping quality, some components must be bought through intermediaries at 1.5–2 times higher prices, a factor that further elevates production costs.
In the broader market, industry observers emphasize the need for diversification of supply chains, increased domestic manufacturing where feasible, and strategic stock management to stabilize availability and costs in the medium term. These measures could help dampen some of the price pressures seen in imports, even amid ongoing geopolitical and currency fluctuations.
The conversation around pharmaceutical pricing highlights the importance of transparent cost structures, government policy responses, and the role of international trade dynamics in shaping medicine access for consumers and healthcare providers alike. Stakeholders are calling for ongoing monitoring and timely data releases to inform pricing, reimbursement decisions, and patient care strategies.
Note: The information above reflects market analysis and industry reporting available at the time of writing, with attribution to the respective market research sources.