For years, Russia has faced a 30 percent drop in medicine imports from the West, leading to shortages in pharmacies and hospitals. Essential medicines like antibiotics, insulin, and drugs for conditions like rheumatism, epilepsy, high blood pressure, and depression are reported to be scarce in various parts of the country. This shortage is not a new issue but has persisted since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The ongoing war in Ukraine has further complicated the situation, raising questions about the impact on Russia’s medical supply. While pharmaceutical exports to Russia are not restricted by Western sanctions, many Western companies have stopped exporting to the country. Reports indicate that pharmaceutical companies like Finn Orion Pharman and Pfizer have suspended operations in Russia, causing a lack of vital medicines for tens of thousands of Russian citizens.
Russia’s heavy reliance on foreign pharmaceutical raw materials exacerbates the medicine shortage problem. With 90 percent of these materials sourced from India and China, the domestic pharmaceutical industry struggles to meet demand for medicine. The lack of access to crucial medications has forced consumers to stockpile drugs when they are available, leading to further shortages in the market.
In addition to the medication crisis, Russia’s healthcare system also faces challenges in accessing expensive Western hospital technology. The rising costs and difficulty in acquiring this technology pose additional obstacles for the country’s healthcare infrastructure. Despite importing medicines worth billions of euros from Western Europe, Russia’s pharmaceutical industry has not been able to resolve the supply shortfall, leading to concerns about the quality and availability of medications.
With a weak ruble and predictions of further devaluation, addressing medical supply issues and other healthcare bottlenecks in Russia appears bleak. The chronic drug shortage combined with challenges in accessing vital medical technology underscores the urgent need for reforms in Russia’s healthcare system.
The ongoing war in Ukraine has made it difficult for Russians to obtain necessary medication due to disrupted supply chains and increased demand for essential medicines as people become sicker during conflicts or due to exposure to contaminated water or air.
Furthermore, sanctions imposed on Russian entities have resulted in many companies stopping their operations altogether or moving their production elsewhere.
As a result of these factors, there is a growing gap between demand for medication and supply capabilities within Russia’s domestic pharmaceutical industry.
This issue is compounded by Russia’s dependence on foreign raw materials such as Indian or Chinese ingredients that make up 90% of its medication supplies.
The lack of domestic production capabilities makes it difficult for Russian citizens who require medications on a regular basis.
To address this issue effectively, reforms need to be implemented that will allow domestic production capabilities within Russia’s pharmaceutical industry.
