The domestic agro-industrial complex needs to maintain international partnership

Exports of agricultural products from RUSSIA have been exceeding imports for several years now, exports of MEAT and dairy products from the country are growing by more than 25% per year. Such indicators became possible, among other things, due to the effective implementation of veterinary solutions. However, the agricultural industry still faces infectious and parasitic diseases, leading to a loss of about 20% of world production. The availability of high-quality veterinary drugs is a key condition for the further development of the agro-industrial complex in Russia.

Food security of the country

Today, imported veterinary drugs occupy more than half of the Russian market, imports of immunobiological and chemical-pharmaceutical veterinary drugs for farm animals exceed 70%. This was stated by Semyon Zhavoronkov, Executive DIRECTOR of the Association of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (hereinafter - AVPHARM): "In the current situation, when some companies have decided to suspend work on the domestic market, the largest foreign manufacturers of veterinary pharmaceutical products continue to supply drugs in all key areas of productive animals, which allows Russian agriculture to maintain production rates and provide domestic and international markets with quality products.
By 2050, the world's population will reach 9.8 billion people, and the world's annual meat consumption will reach 570 million tons (twice as high as in 2008).

The development of the agro-industrial complex is one of the promising areas for the growth of the Russian economy, on which the country's food security largely depends. At the same time, partnership with foreign manufacturers of veterinary pharmaceuticals has a key influence on the development of Russian animal husbandry. These are not just mutually beneficial commercial relations, but also the exchange of experience: the introduction of effective treatment regimens for animals, the organization of veterinary care, training and joint innovative projects. As noted in AVPHARM, the value of the partnership of the domestic agro-industrial complex with foreign manufacturers of veterinary pharmaceutical products lies in the development of Russian human resources: only in the last three years through the joint educational project "Animal Husbandry of the Future"

Vetfarma must remain of high quality

However, according to industry representatives, current regulatory conditions hinder the continued access of essential drugs to the Russian market. "Medicines that are similar to imported drugs require a switch to other treatment regimens or require a larger number of doses, thereby reducing the economic feasibility of their use and often suggesting a reformatting of the entire cycle of veterinary care for animals," explains Semyon Zhavoronkov. According to AVPHARM experts, without appropriate changes in the regulatory framework, Russian veterinary medicine risks losing more than 80% of the current range of imported veterinary drugs, many of which are unique.
AVPHARM is convinced that a targeted, albeit temporary, easing of regulatory burdens can help importing companies interested in maintaining and developing ties with the domestic agro-industrial complex to overcome the crisis situation and existing obstacles. AVPHARM, which unites the leading importers of veterinary medicinal products, is guided by the positions voiced by the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin: import substitution processes should not lead to artificial rejection of imports in critical industries and ousting foreign companies interested in working in Russia from the market. The Association notes

In the related medical industry, the Government has already taken a number of measures aimed at simplifying the procedure for registering medicines until the end of 2023 to minimize possible supply problems. AFVARM notes that they hope for the support of the Government of the Russian Federation in terms of introducing similar measures for the veterinary industry, and also count on targeted relief of the regulatory burden and entering into a dialogue with foreign manufacturers.

"Russian animal husbandry is a dynamic, transforming industry, and as an association of the world's leading manufacturers of veterinary drugs, we are interested in its development. Faced with challenges and opportunities, we need new approaches and solutions, but most importantly, active and comprehensive cooperation legislators and regulators with all industry participants,” notes Semyon Zhavoronkov.