China stops supplying raw materials for medicines to Russia

Russian media, citing the chairman of the Active Component Pharmaceutical Company, report that the latest round of sanctions has resulted in restrictions on certain intermediates, assets, and reagents being supplied to Russia. This has created significant challenges for pharmaceutical substance manufacturers in the country.

The supply situation is expected to worsen in the future. However, establishing domestic production of these raw materials in Russia is not a viable solution. 

Currently, Russian drug manufacturers rely heavily on foreign raw materials, with dependence reaching as high as 80%. Furthermore, more than two-thirds of these imports come from China and India.

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Russia's pharmaceutical industry has faced increased difficulties in importing raw materials, which has led to higher medicine prices. In 2023, Russia imported 12,847 tons of substances, a significant drop from 17,199 tons in 2022. Due to the shortages, the cost of these substances rose by 26% in 2023, reaching $116 per kilogram.