Russia imported medicine worth $6.8 billion last year, down 32.7 percent compared to 2014, the Federal Customs Service said in a statement Friday.
The import of drugs to Russia from outside the former Soviet Union dropped 32.9 percent to $6.7 billion. Imports into Russia from CIS countries were worth $119 million, 21 percent less than in 2014, the statement said.
Meanwhile, the volume of antibiotics imported into Russia decreased by 2.6 percent in 2015 to $84.2 million, according to the Federal Customs Service.
In December, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree limiting state purchases of foreign-made drugs.
According to the decree — aimed at reducing reliance on Western goods — foreign companies are banned from participating in tenders if there are at least two entries from Russia or members of the Eurasian Economic Union.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
