On the Issue of the Development of Import Substitution in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Currently, a combination of unfavorable external conditions makes the problem of developing import substitution in many industries, one of which is pharmaceuticals, particularly relevant for the Russian economy. The production of medicines is not only one of the most socially significant industries, but also represents an essential component of the state’s economic security system. The article examines the current state of the pharmaceutical industry in Russia and the reasons for the continued high share of imported drugs in the domestic market. Features of the functioning of the industry and the problems of increasing the independence of the production of medicines in Russia from external sources of raw materials and substances, materials, equipment and technologies are highlighted. The principles of forming a list of vital and essential drugs are analyzed, and using the example of a group of iodine-containing drugs, the reasons for the insufficient effectiveness of import substitution in the pharmaceutical industry are revealed. The example of Irkutsk region shows the continued predominance of drugs from foreign manufacturers on the market both for iodine preparations and in general for the list of vital and essential drugs. The article identifies the main directions for the development of import substitution in Russian pharmaceuticals, as well as recommendations for increasing the share of domestic manufacturers in the drug market.