Practices
Industries

Restrictions on Import of Unregistered Medicinal Drugs and Medical Devices Can be Amended

24 April 2023

The State Duma has adopted in the first reading amendments to article 238.1 of Criminal Code, establishing liability for circulation of unregistered medicinal drugs and devices in Russia.

The bill proposes to exclude from note 3 to the article 238.1 a case of non–criminalization – the existence of a recommendation by the World Health Organization for the use of appropriate unregistered medicinal drugs and devices.

Founder of a Major Russian Pharmaceutical Company Listed as SDN in the UK

09 February 2023

On 8 February 2023 Alexey Repik, the founder of R-Pharm – Russian pharmaceutical company, producing, among other things, drugs for COVID-19 (e.g. coronavir (favipiravir) and artlegia (olokizumab)) was listed in the UK Sanctions List.

Reasoning behind this decision is that he holds the position of the Chairman of the Board of R-Pharm, which receives financing from the Russian Direct Investment Fund – a Government of Russia-affiliated entity. Moreover, Alexey Repik is also designated as a person associated with Vladimir Putin, the Russian President.

New Responsibility for Selling Drugs Without Prescription

06 February 2023

On January 17, 2023, a bill was submitted to the State Duma for consideration. This bill establishes higher responsibility for the sale of medicines subject to quantitative accounting without a prescription.

The relevant bill has been introduced in order to combat drug addiction, which is nowadays widespread, including among minors, as stipulated in explanatory note to the bill.

US Has Authorized Provision of Accounting, Trust and Corporate Formation, and Management Consulting Services to Russian Persons in Spheres of Agricultural Commodities and Medicine

30 January 2023

The new General license No 6C published by OFAC on January 1, 2023, establishes exceptions from US sanctions related to the spheres of agricultural commodities, medicine, medical devices, replacement parts and components for medical devices, or software updates for medical devices.