The rollout of drug movement monitoring (MDLP) in Russia, planned to begin on September 1, is designed to tighten controls over the sale of prescription medications. Its impact is expected to be limited to the operations of pharmacies and should not directly affect patients. This assessment comes from Alexander Saversky, who heads the Public News Service unit within the Union of Patient Advocates and serves as a practicing attorney.
While the general expectation is that patients will feel little to no disruption, some concerns were raised by experts regarding the stance of certain nonprofit pharmacy organizations (NPOs).
According to Saversky, several associations within the sector have emphasized that the decree creates potential risks for their members. He argued that these concerns could be passed along to patients if the government does not provide sufficient clarification. He noted that the Ministry of Health could not, he believes, commit to a policy that allows the purchase of prescription drugs without a prescription, and that any such concession would require explicit legal changes.
The expert added that the ministry has already reported that the existing procedure for selling prescription medicines will be preserved, and he expressed cautious optimism that this commitment will be maintained.
Victoria Presnyakova, who previously led the SRO Association of Independent Pharmacies and currently chairs the Alliance of Pharmaceutical Societies, spoke after the new rules were announced. She pointed out that patients may encounter difficulties obtaining medicines upon hospital discharge or when prescriptions are written incorrectly on paper. Presnyakova indicated that pharmacists will be required to input all relevant data into the MDLP system, ensuring traceability and accountability throughout the supply chain.
In light of these developments, industry participants and patient advocates continue to monitor how MDLP will be implemented in real-world settings. The central question remains how the system will influence prescription integrity, pharmacy workflows, and the accessibility of medications for those who rely on timely, accurate pharmaceutical care in the healthcare continuum.
Observers have suggested that effective communication from health authorities, combined with robust procedural safeguards, will be essential to minimize disruption while enhancing the safety and visibility of prescription drug movements. The overarching objective appears to be a more transparent and controlled distribution network that reduces the risk of counterfeit medicines and strengthens patient protections without compromising access to legitimate therapies.