Russians fear running out of medicine as a result of Ukraine invasion

Russian pharmacies are running out of insulin and other diabetes products made abroad, Russian daily Kommersant reported on Wednesday, describing shortages of raw materials for drug manufacturing.

The Russian Federal Agency for Medical Supervision (Roszdravnadzor) and the association of pharmacies attribute the insulin shortage to “urgent consumer demand” in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

They also argue that most diabetic drugs are produced in Russia and there is no need to worry, according to Kommersant.

Patients interviewed by the media explained that the massive purchases are due to the fact that other medical devices used by diabetics are produced abroad, so they fear shortages or high inflation and buy in anticipation.

Although Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine do not target the pharmaceutical industry, Kommersant believes Russian companies could run out of imported raw materials and components.

According to the business daily, Europe has almost completely suspended deliveries.

And imports from China and India, which account for nearly 80% of imported pharmaceutical raw materials, are likely to be delayed by disrupted supply chains.

Local stocks are expected to last three to six months.

The collapse of the Soviet Union meant the collapse of the prized Russian pharmaceutical industry and ushered in a period in which the country depended on Western laboratories.

Moscow has been working to reduce its dependence on the West, a policy advanced after EU and US sanctions following Russia’s annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014.

However, lime production still relies heavily on imported raw materials.