Chinese medicines are being prepared for certification procedures in Russia

Chinese medicines are being prepared for certification procedures in Russia, stated Vitaly Mankevich, Chairman of the Russian-Asian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RAUIE)

He noted that currently, the products of Chinese pharmaceutical companies are almost nonexistent in the Russian market. However, according to Mankevich, the total value of the pharmaceutical market in 2022 amounted to 2.25 trillion rubles, and the market continued to grow by 13% annually.

"We are preparing Chinese medicines for certification procedures. We are talking about officially registered drugs in China, not biologically active additives," said Mankevich.


Vitaly Mankevich - Chairman of the Russian-Asian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RAUIE)

He highlighted that currently, after the reduction of portfolios by several Western companies in Russia, there are good opportunities for Chinese medicines in the Russian market. In March 2022, major Western pharmaceutical companies Pfizer, Lilly, AbbVie, Sanofi, and MSD refused to conduct research in Russia. The American company Gilead suspended some business operations in Russia, Takeda and Astellas Pharma halted new clinical trials. By the end of April, many foreign pharmaceutical manufacturers announced a refusal to launch new drug trials in Russia, and the supply of some vaccines and medicines was also discontinued.

Mankevich pointed out that despite a production growth of around 10%, the share of medicinal products produced in Russia accounted for only 35.9% of their total consumption in the country in 2022, compared to 24.3% in 2009.

"It would be beneficial for both Chinese pharmaceutical companies and Russia to occupy these vacant niches in order to avoid shortages and price increases," the Chairman of the RAUIE said.

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According to Mankevich, the most attractive niches for Chinese companies are drugs for hepatitis, oncological diseases, HIV infection, hypertension and arrhythmia, mental disorders, vaccines for prevention of diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus, as well as some types of antibiotics.

"At the end of the first half of 2023, the share of foreign drugs in the Russian market was 34%. I believe Chinese drug manufacturers can capture 5-7% of the Russian market by the end of 2024 and further increase their share," he said.

Mankevich emphasized that in order for Chinese pharmaceutical companies to enter the Russian market, the RAUIE informs Chinese partners about the prospects of working in Russia, assists in company and drug registration, searches for reliable partners, and coordinates actions between Chinese pharmaceutical companies and Russian government agencies and businesses. According to him, the first standard Chinese medical products may appear in Russian pharmacies and medical institutions by the end of 2024.