Press Center: Legal updates

As part of the implementation of the Strategy for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry through 2030, approved by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1495-r of 7 June 2023 (“Pharma Strategy 2030”), and discussions at the “Healthy Society” forum organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Ministry of Health (16–17 March 2026, Moscow) (“Forum”), key areas of state support for domestic drug developers and manufacturers were identified, including subsidies for clinical trials .

In addition to existing support programs, subsidies for clinical trials at all stages will help overcome the financing barrier for high-risk phases of medicines clinical trials and accelerate the market launch of medicines. The combination of current and planned measures will create the legal and economic foundation for strengthening the production and technological capacity of the domestic pharmaceutical industry and increasing its presence in international markets.

Below, we will examine planned initiatives and support measures for pharmaceutical manufacturers that have already been implemented.

On 29 April 2026, the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation (the “CCRF”) has published its case law review for the first quarter of 2026, comprising 19 judgments and 6 rulings. The document systematizes decisions across administrative, labor, private and criminal law, establishing new standards for the protection of individuals and businesses.

On March 30, 2026, the State Duma received bill №. 1191453-8 (hereinafter "bill"), which is planned to amend the CPC norm on alternative jurisdiction. The subject of the legislative initiative was the Government of the Russian Federation.

On April 21, 2026, the State Duma adopted Bill No. 1077246-8 in its third reading, introducing amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (CAO RF). These innovations are aimed at expanding the rights of participants in administrative offense proceedings and unifying procedural legislation.

Active public discussions continue regarding the draft law “On the Foundations of State Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Technology Applications in the Russian Federation”, drafted by the Ministry of Digital Development of the Russian Federation. The document covers the development, implementation and use of artificial intelligence (hereinafter – “AI”), and establishes obligations for service owners, developers and users. Below is an overview of the key changes that will affect businesses.

On 24 March 2026, the State Duma adopted Bill No. 1136722-8 at its third reading, proposing to transfer the powers to review decisions of magistrates’ courts on cassation appeal from the cassation courts of general jurisdiction to the courts of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. The initiative was put forward by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation.

On 24 March 2025, the State Duma adopted, at the third reading, Draft Law No. 1097621-8 (the “Draft Law”), which prohibits employers from imposing a probationary period on women with children under the age of three.

As of March 1, 2026, the amendments introduced by Federal Law No. 168-FZ of June 24, 2025, to the Law of the Russian Federation "On Protection of Consumer Rights" have come into force.

The past days have been marked by landmark rulings from the Russian Supreme and Constitutional Courts, decisions that will influence future case law and the pharmaceutical market as a whole.

The Federal Service for Technical and Export Control (hereinafter referred to as the "FSTEC") has prepared a draft methodological document "Activities and measures to protect information contained in Information Systems" (hereinafter referred to as the "Draft Methodological Document").