News

Russian Ministry of Health Recommends Considering Regional Perspectives in Compiling Lists of Vital Drugs and VZN

• By Newsdesk
• Russia
• Jun 20, 2023

News

Russian Ministry of Health Introduces Updated Rules for Lists of Vital Drugs and VZN, Taking Regional Perspectives into Account

The Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation has drafted revised regulations for the compilation of lists of Vital and Essential Drugs (VED) and High-Cost Nosologies (VZN). One of the key proposals in the bill is to consider the stance of regional health authorities when deciding whether to include or exclude specific medications from the lists.

The document states that the positions of state authorities in the respective Russian regions regarding the necessity of including medicines in the lists should be presented. Factors such as changes in budgetary burdens, the number of patients requiring therapy with these drugs, and the recommendations of the main specialists in each region will be taken into account.

The updated draft also acknowledges the role of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in expanding information about the listed drugs. The proposal suggests including details such as the dosage form, method of use, target patient group, and indications for use, particularly for expensive medications.

Furthermore, the Ministry proposes eliminating the option of remote voting by members of the interdepartmental commission. The bill will undergo a public discussion period until June 30, 2023.

Previously, the Ministry of Health developed a mechanism to regulate prices for medications on the VED list in case of a risk of shortage. This mechanism suggests establishing a three-month validity period for conclusions on defects or the risk of their occurrence.