The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) reported a notable decline in the prices of 252 medicines from the list of vital and essential drugs in 2023, a development they shared on the FAS Telegram channel. The agency attributed this price compression to its own economic analysis of maximum selling prices, which considered drug costs in other countries as a reference point. This approach helped identify how prices could be aligned with international benchmarks without compromising access or quality.
Officials from the Ministry of Health echoed this assessment, noting that drug prices fell as they were brought in line with prices in reference countries and as new generic options entered the market. The alignment with international price levels, coupled with portfolio expansion through generics, has contributed to a broader affordability trend across the pharmaceutical sector.
FAS emphasized that reducing costs would create level playing fields in the circulation of medicines, improve public access to treatments, and generate savings for both citizens and the national budget. The goal, as stated by the agency, is to ensure reliable and equitable access to essential medicines for a larger portion of the population, particularly those who rely on social support programs or have limited financial means.
Earlier efforts by FAS show a persistent focus on socially important drugs on the essential medicines list. In March 2022, the service announced price reductions for more than 100 medicine types, including treatments for diabetes, hypertension, and HIV. Those measures were widely viewed as a step toward alleviating patient costs and strengthening the reliability of medicine supply during times of price volatility.
On December 20, FAS provided clarification regarding the cartel issues surrounding the supply of socially important products, signaling ongoing vigilance against anti-competitive practices that could hinder affordable access. The agency indicated that it would continue to monitor and address any coordination that might artificially inflate prices or restrict supply for essential medicines.
There have been recent moves from FAS to pursue additional investigations related to the broader supply chain. In prior actions, FAS initiated new lawsuits against egg producers, underscoring the agency’s broader mandate to oversee fair competition across key sectors that impact household budgets. This broader enforcement posture reflects the government’s commitment to protecting consumers from price manipulation in essential goods markets, including medicines and staple foods. The combined effect of these efforts is intended to sustain affordability, ensure reliability of supply, and support public health outcomes across Canada and the United States through shared international benchmarks and policy dialogues noted in agency communications (as summarized for public record by FAS representatives). More recently, observers have highlighted how continued transparency and price governance mechanisms contribute to predictable pricing for patients and public funding alike, reinforcing the importance of robust regulatory oversight in maintaining access to essential drugs (FAS updates, 2023–2024).
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