Picture of the day: digest of the main news from June 26, 2025
Main
#1 The Russian government has submitted amendments to Federal Law 323 to the State Duma, formally allowing the Ministry of Health not only to approve the procedure for creating, but also the algorithm for applying clinical recommendations. Thus, the federal regulator will be able to define in detail the cases when deviation from the CR will not be punished by compulsory medical insurance auditors and investigative bodies. Deviation from the strict norms of clinical recommendations, contrary to the concerns of doctors, will be possible subject to a number of conditions. During the first half of 2025, the Ministry of Health proposed several versions of the regulations for discussion, however, the department has not yet decided on the final version of the document. The State Duma Committee on Health Protection responded ambiguously to one of the latest versions, expressing hope that the document "will undergo the necessary adjustments by the time the federal law is adopted."
#2 The government has approved an updated procedure for state control (supervision) in the social services sector. The corresponding adjustments were developed by the Ministry of Labor in April 2025. The number of inspections of extremely high-risk and high-risk organizations has been increased, while the classification of objects of state control into a certain risk category must be carried out before September 1. Among the innovations is the impossibility of refusing a mandatory preventive visit, the duration of which has now increased from one to ten days. Rostrud will be able to conduct such a visit both at the location of the organization and via video conference or the Inspector mobile application.
Pharmaceutical business
On June 24, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation rejected the claim of Akrikhin against the FAS of Russia. The pharmaceutical manufacturer tried to challenge the regulator's information letter regarding the recognition of the violation of antitrust legislation by Akrikhin of the drug Fordiglif (dapagliflozin) without the consent of the owner of the patent for the active substance, the British-Swedish AstraZeneca. In the fall of 2024, the regulator issued four fines for thematic violations to two companies, and in January-February 2025, it issued information letters banning the purchase of generics of four patented drugs. The FAS decisions are currently being challenged in Russian courts.
Organization of medical care
• The Russian Ministry of Health has published draft orders containing the Procedure for providing assistance in the field of "psychiatry-narcology" and regulations for conducting dispensary observation of patients with mental disorders associated with the use of psychoactive substances. Both documents, if approved, will enter into force on September 1, 2026. Among other things, the regulations include the possibility of receiving primary pre-medical medical and sanitary and high-tech care for specialized patients. In addition, according to one of the documents, medical rehabilitation of patients with drug addiction disorders can be carried out on the basis of any clinics with the appropriate license.
• The Russian Ministry of Justice has proposed changing the Procedure for organizing the provision of medical care to people in custody or serving sentences in a penal colony on a commercial basis. For example, the regulation on medical care may include the possibility of calling doctors from civilian clinics. At the same time, convicts will have the right to undergo paid diagnostics and treatment in medical institutions at their own expense. At the moment, such an opportunity is provided only by the internal rules of individual FSIN clinics. According to the regulator, adjustments are necessary to improve and humanize the penal system.
Prospects
The Russian government has approved the action plan for the Strategy for the Implementation of Youth Policy until 2030. Among other things, the document covers topics related to healthcare. For example, one of the goals for 2025–2030 is to foster a responsible attitude among young people towards their psychological and physical health and to counteract the promotion of bad habits. The Ministry of Health, Roszdravnadzor, and Rospotrebnadzor have been appointed responsible for this area, among others.
Rehabilitation
The Ministry of Labor of the Russian Federation has approved a standard for the provision of services for the social and psychological rehabilitation and habilitation of disabled people. The thematic order, among other things, contains information on the methods of receiving the service, methods of therapy, the duration of the prescribed activities and other aspects. The document also sets out indicators of the quality and effectiveness of specialized assistance. The main markers include completeness of implementation, achievement of specific goals, rehabilitation effect, satisfaction with the results. In the course of psychological counseling, approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, family and existential psychotherapy and other methods can be used.
Career
Oleg Melnikov, who has been acting Minister of Health of Kamchatka Krai since January 2025, has officially taken office. This was announced by Vladimir Solodov, the region's governor, who noted that the head of the department will have "a lot of work to do to solve problems." Melnikov has been working in the Kamchatka Ministry of Health since 2021.
Other news:
Gilead to invest up to $750 million in Kymera Therapeutics cancer drug development
Chinese authorities promise to respond to restrictions on access to EU medical supplies
vademec
