Russia adopts rules on destruction of fake, substandard drugs

The government in Russia has adopted a new set of rules defining the procedure for the destruction of medicines determined to be substandard or counterfeit.

The government decree, which passed on September 3, makes it mandatory for these medicines to be destroyed by organisations licensed for the collection, transportation and disposal of grade I-IV waste. The organisations should also have access to designated disposal facilities with specialised equipment.

The procedure indicates that when Russia's Federal Service for Supervision of Health and Social Development (Roszdravnadzor) identifies counterfeit or substandard medicines the owner of the products are required to remove them from circulation and destroy them within 30 days at their own expense. If the owner does not agree there is a specified appeals procedure.


Related articles:

Russia, USA get closer on pharmacopoeial standards

Russia warns of counterfeit threat