Russian pharmaceuticals is calling the Varangians

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, during his visit to Munich, the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Viktor Khristenko held working meetings with the heads of the world's leading pharmaceutical enterprises. The focus was on the Strategy being developed for the development of the pharmaceutical industry in Russia until 2020, the mechanisms for its implementation, as well as the prospects for the participation of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies in projects in Russia.

Representatives of Novartis, Sanofi-Aventis, Eli Lilly, AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk, Baxter, Amgen, Merck companies took part in the meeting with the Head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia Viktor Khristenko and Deputy Chairman of the EU Commission Gunther Verheugen. The Russian Minister also visited the biotechnological plant of the company "Beringer Ingelheim".

As the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia noted, "European pharmaceutical companies have been present on the Russian market for a long time. Mostly as suppliers, although some have already come as investors. We treat the enterprises that organize production in Russia in the same way as we treat traditionally Russian ones." However, according to the Russian Minister, "so far such examples mainly relate to the production of generics. However, we are counting on the production of innovative pharmaceuticals in our strategy. We create conditions for the development of research and development at the earliest stages for the creation of new medicines." The strategy is aimed at developing all stages of drug production: research and development, production and regulation of the sales market, Viktor Khristenko added. At the same time, he noted that it is planned to allocate up to 90% of resources to innovations at the first stage, and up to 75% at the second stage.

The head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade noted that the discussion of the pharmaceutical industry with European pharmaceutical companies is very timely. "We are discussing a document that has not yet been adopted, the adoption of which is important both for Russia and for European business. In this sense, you have a direct opportunity to raise and discuss the most sensitive issues in essence," Viktor Khristenko stressed, addressing the world pharmaceutical giants. "I think this mode of discussing strategies with business is absolutely productive. I am glad that we are translating cooperation into a practical plane," he added.

At the same time, according to the participants of the meetings, Russian and foreign pharmaceutical companies can develop all possible forms of interaction, including the creation of joint production and research centers, licensing cooperation, technology transfer, etc. As Viktor Khristenko noted after the meetings, "we formulate those ideas and those conditions that would facilitate the arrival of European pharmaceutical companies in Russia. Independently or in partnership with Russian companies. In any format that investors find attractive. Accordingly, we discussed what is of interest to investors and what else needs to be done at the government level so that the conditions are more understandable and transparent."

The Russian Minister added that, despite the global financial crisis, the actions of the Russian Government, both in terms of leveling competitive opportunities in the industry and in terms of the development of the social and healthcare sectors, make the Russian pharmaceutical market very attractive from the point of view of investment. "The pharmaceutical market in Russia is growing very rapidly. According to our estimates, it may exceed $60 billion by 2020. Such a market is certainly interesting," Viktor Khristenko explained. At the same time, according to representatives of the European Pharmaceutical Association, the assessment of the prospects of the Russian market should be even more optimistic.

Ultimately, as the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia noted, "we expect that we will be able to restore the entire cycle of pharmaceutical production on Russian soil. From the development of new molecules to the final dosage forms. Today, in monetary terms, 80% of our market is imported and 20% is our own production. By 2020, we expect to bring this ratio to a 50-50 situation."

The coordinators of the Russia-EU Industrial and Regulatory Dialogues, Viktor Khristenko, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, and Gunther Verheugen, Deputy Chairman of the EU Commission on Industry and Entrepreneurship, noted that there is no more complex market in the world in terms of regulation. "And this is the very promising and at the same time very sensitive area that Mr. Verheugen and I will need to discuss within the framework of the permanent Russia-EU regulatory Dialogue," the head of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade said. At the same time, the focus will be on the harmonization of rules and norms of the functioning of markets.

Stressing that the development of cooperation between Russia and the European Union in high-tech industries is on the agenda, Viktor Khristenko said: "I am sure that our Munich round will significantly affect our cooperation in the EU-Russia format in a very innovative, very significant and from a social point of view pharmaceutical industry."

Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru25.11.2008