Russia’s President Vladimir Putin admitted on Tuesday that Russian pharmacies are running out of some medicines and that the prices of these goods have risen despite the country’s increasing production of medicines.
“Recently, the prices of some medicines in our country have increased and there is a certain shortage, despite the fact that we are witnessing an increase in the production of pharmaceuticals”said the head of the Kremlin (Russian presidency) at a meeting with members of the government.
Putin explained that 60% of the national market is currently made up of “household medicines”, noting that while Russia does not ban the importation of pharmaceuticals and cooperates with foreign manufacturers, some have suspended operations in the country.
Therefore, he added, it is “very important to increase our own efforts”.
Western sanctions imposed on Russia in response to the invasion and war in Ukraine exclude medicines and medical equipment, but the arrival of these goods in the country is hampered by transport, insurance and banking restrictions.
The head of the executive committee of the pro-government Popular Front Movement, Mikhail Kuznetsov, received several complaints this Tuesday about the impossibility of buying medicines that require a prescription, such as antibiotics from foreign brands Amoxiclav and Suprax (to treat bacterial infections), some oncological such as Tamoxifen, as well as the antipyretic Nurofen.
According to the Health Minister of Russia Mikhail Murashko, list prices of essential medicines have increased by 1.9% in 2022, while others have increased by 10%, still below the inflation rate of 11.94%.
Last year, Russian drug production increased by more than 15% compared to 2021, according to data from Russia’s Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov.
Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine last February 24, justified by the Russian president with the need to “denazify” and demilitarize the neighboring country, but which was condemned by the international community at large.
The West has responded by sending weapons to Ukraine and imposing political and economic sanctions on Russia.
Source: DN
