Inpharma proposed regulators to change the mechanism for centralized procurement of drugs

Inpharma outlined its proposal in a letter to three regulators (Vademecum has a copy). The association asks the addressees to consider the possibility of introducing confidential price agreements with manufacturers of medicines under patent protection. The organization points out that in international practice, price reductions for medicines can be achieved through direct negotiations with pharmaceutical manufacturers on the provision of “non-public discounts” or by concluding long-term contracts for the supply of products.

Currently, the mechanism of closed contracts is used only in specialized areas, in particular in space and defense, Vadim Kukava, executive director of the Inpharma association, explained to Vademecum. "It is important that, by law, the contract is either completely open or completely closed. It is impossible to close only the price, for example, under the current regulatory conditions. However, we are losing the untapped potential for saving budget funds and expanding the availability of therapy, since we do not extend the mechanism of closed contracts to drug purchases," the speaker emphasized.

Inpharma cites the "lack of adaptation of the regulatory environment to the implementation of such mechanisms in routine procurement practice" as the main restraining factor for the introduction of "closed contracts". The organization believes it is important to regulate this shortcoming and legislatively establish procedures for conducting direct negotiations with individual and non-public discounts that will not affect the maximum selling price and the average weighted price of other contracts.

“The proposed measures can and should become a source of additional funding for expanding drug provision within the framework of specialized federal projects, which is consistent with the position of the Russian Ministry of Health,” the association concluded.

Vadim Kukava also explained to Vademecum that the association proposes to introduce into practice the “institution of closed contracts,” when the very fact of purchasing a drug remains open information, but the price at which it was purchased is not disclosed. “It is important that the price in such cases is lower than in other procurement activities,” the expert emphasized, noting that the mechanism represents “a kind of ‘non-public discount.’”

This procedure "will allow socially responsible pharmaceutical companies to provide price preferences to the state purchaser for a certain volume of drugs without the risk of further disruption of the formation of the NMCK," the speaker explained, specifying that the mechanism can be implemented in any state purchases. "It is important that the drugs that will be purchased without disclosing the price are under a patent, that is, they have an exclusive right to sale, and therefore will not disrupt the competitive environment of the pharmaceutical market," concluded Vadim Kukava.

The appeal mentions that in February 2025, at a working meeting with drug manufacturers and distributors, the Ministry of Health announced the possible positive consequences of joint centralized procurement. In particular, representatives of the department noted that such a mechanism, due to the purchase of products in large quantities, will reduce the cost of original drugs under patent protection. The Ministry of Health also believes that such an algorithm "will facilitate rational procurement of drugs" to ensure therapy in accordance with clinical practice.

Regulators have not yet responded to Inpharma's letter. Vademecum sent inquiries to the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Antimonopoly Service.

At the end of April 2025, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko reported on the implementation of the first joint tenders for the purchase of drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and hepatitis C with the participation of regions. The head of the department reported that thanks to the new format, the state budget managed to save more than 15% of funds. Infarma confirmed that thematic tenders were implemented during the pilot project.

The project was announced by drug manufacturers and distributors in February 2025 during a meeting with the Russian Ministry of Health. The initiative involves joint bidding with elements of centralization for federal projects to combat cardiovascular diseases and hepatitis C. At the moment, a limited number of regions are participating in the pilot project, but it is planned to expand the practice in the future.

"The intentions to scale up joint bidding were announced by Deputy Minister of Healthcare Sergey Glagolev. It is known that at present, such a mechanism will be used to purchase, among other things, drugs under the INN dapagliflozin and ticagrelor for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, as well as other drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C," Infarma told Vademecum.