In Russia, drug prices are growing much faster than inflation

The rise in price of drugs is not from the list of vital and most important drugs (ZhNVLP) this year more than three times higher than inflation, the Izvestia newspaper writes.

According to Roszdravnadzor, drugs worth up to 50 rubles went up by 1.8%, 7.9%increased in price medicines worth 50 to 500 rubles, and drugs more expensive than 500 rubles went up by 7.9%. Since the beginning of the year, inflation in Russia amounted to 2.6%, and in annual terms, according to the forecasts of the Central Bank, it is estimated at 4.3%.

Partly rise in price is due to the fact that pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies are trying to compensate for losses due to the regulation of prices for the category of the GUNLP, experts with whom the publication talked.

Pharmacies are also forced to compensate for losses due to the fall of demand for medicines in the summer and an unstable ruble course.

According to the head of the "Pharmacy Guild" organization Elena Nenolina, if the pharmacies do not increase the cost of "permitted" drugs, they will work at a loss. “In order to somehow stay afloat, not to work at a loss, you have to increase the prices of what is allowed,” she explained.

On the other hand, people who are familiar with the situation in the industry indicate complex marketing schemes of pharmacy networks and numerous kickbacks that also lead to a rise in the price of drugs.

Prices for medicines that are not included in the list of the HSRLP, manufacturers, intermediaries and merchants determine independently. Prices for drugs from the NUCLD have been regulated by the state since 2009.

The ruble exchange rate significantly affects pricing, because for the production of medicines in Russia, as the executive director of the Polisan farm company Evgeny Kardash told the publication, about 90% of imported substances, ingredients and primary packaging are used.