Picture of the Day: A digest of the main news from September 19, 2025
Main
#1 The Russian Government amended the Regulation on the Ministry of Health: the agency now has the authority to determine the application of clinical guidelines. At the same time, the authority to conduct state expert reviews of resort and resort region development programs and explored reserves of natural medicinal resources of federal significance has been removed from the list of powers. The previously proposed authority to establish and modify sanitary protection zones around natural medicinal resources was not included in the final version of the document.
Rospotrebnadzor has submitted a draft law amending the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation for public comment. This amendment proposes introducing a simplified mechanism for imposing administrative penalties based on information recorded in the Honest Sign system, similar to the "auto-fines" mechanism. Specifically, the amendments propose imposing penalties on legal entities and individual entrepreneurs for selling marked goods with expired expiration dates. For individual entrepreneurs, the fine could be 10,000 rubles per unit of such product, and for legal entities, 20,000 rubles. Public comment on the draft will last until September 30, 2025, and the amendments themselves, if approved, could take effect on March 1, 2026.
Pharmaceutical business
The Moscow Regional Arbitration Court, acting on a claim filed by Roszdravnadzor, fined Jodas Expoim LLC 50,000 rubles. The regulator's appeal stemmed from the discovery of counterfeit medications on the market with false manufacturer information on the packaging, including Novaklav, Ampicillin + Sulbactam, and Meropenem Jodas. The court's decision, issued on September 17, 2025, can be appealed within ten days.
Medical devices market
On September 17, President Vladimir Putin extended the decree of March 8, 2022, on special economic measures. Export restrictions on certain medical products will now be in effect until December 31, 2027, instead of the previously established deadline of December 31, 2025. The ban covers more than 200 items, including dental materials, rubber products, and compression garments. However, the export of products manufactured in special economic zones using foreign components is permitted.
Investments
Alfa will build a facility in the Leningrad Region to manufacture medical containers, including vials, ampoules, syringes, and other products. The agreement was signed by regional Governor Alexander Drozdenko and company founder Andrey Beloshitsky. Investment in the project is estimated at 1.3 billion rubles. The plant is scheduled to launch in 2027; planned capacity is not yet known.
Sankur Market
Cosmos Hotel Group will undertake the renovation of the N.M. Przhevalsky Sanatorium in the Smolensk Region. An agreement has been signed with regional authorities. A wellness complex will be built on the grounds of the health resort, built in 1974. Investment in the project is estimated at 2.6 billion rubles. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026.
Organization of medical care
The Russian Ministry of Defense has proposed adjusting the procedures for providing medical care to military personnel in the Armed Forces. If the draft order is approved, military personnel serving in the command staff will be able to receive medical care not only at the P.V. Mandryka Central Military Clinical Hospital, as stipulated in the current regulations, but also at the Clinical and Diagnostic Center of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
Government support
The Russian government has approved a 335.3 million ruble interbudgetary transfer from the reserve fund to the Kursk Region as a one-time financial aid measure. The funds are intended for the purchase of medications and medical supplies for beneficiaries and therapeutic nutrition for children with disabilities permanently residing in the region. The Russian Ministry of Health is required to oversee the execution of the relevant agreement and monitor the targeted and effective use of budgetary allocations.
Criminal cases
The appellate court of the Supreme Court of Ingushetia has ruled to change the preventive measure for former Minister of Health of the Republic Magomedbashir Balayev, who is charged under Part 4 of Article 159 of the Russian Criminal Code (large-scale fraud committed by an organized group). This request was made by the former official's defense team. By court order, Balayev's house arrest has been replaced by a ban on certain activities until November 4. Investigators believe that Balayev, along with A.V. Kachanov, B.M. Zyazikov (their current positions are not specified), and other unidentified individuals, embezzled budget funds allocated to the region by the Russian Ministry of Health for the purchase of medical equipment in 2022-2023. The damages are estimated at 53.3 million rubles.
International agenda
The European regulator has supported the marketing of Kyinsu, a new drug from Danish company Novo Nordisk for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. On September 18, the EMA committee recommended granting the manufacturer marketing authorization. The drug combines insulin icodec and semaglutide, which act through complementary mechanisms: the former regulates glucose metabolism, while the latter stimulates insulin production and suppresses glucagon secretion. Kyinsu is administered only once a week and will be available as an injection solution in pre-filled pens.
Other news:
vademec
