Russia exports medicinal products to more than 150 countries. Russian vaccines, insulins and antibiotics are especially popular abroad. Drug production in the country is developing at a rapid pace, paving the way for new biotechnological drugs and medicines for personalized therapy to enter the international market. Companies see great potential for introducing their medicinal products abroad, however they face several regulatory and logistical obstacles. The destination for Russian medicines and the barriers to scaling up their exports are covered in an overview article by GxP News.
From the CIS to Global Market
In recent years, Russian pharmaceutical exports have seen significant growth, both in volume and geographic reach. While the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was once the primary destination, Russian-made drugs are now actively entering markets in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. There is a growing demand for Russian drugs to treat cardiovascular, autoimmune, and infectious diseases. During the pandemic, vaccines became a key export commodity for the Russian pharmaceutical industry. Overall, Russian medicines are now available in more than 150 countries worldwide, as stated by the Russian Minister of Industry and Trade, Anton Alikhanov.
Representatives of the Russian pharmaceutical business report increasing international interest in their products. “We are seeing high demand for innovative drugs designed to treat cancer, diabetes, obesity, as well as bacterial and viral infections,” says Kira Zaslavskaya, Director of New Products of Promomed Group.
Binnopharm Group also confirms that demand for Russian drugs is steadily growing, particularly for original and technologically complex medicines. “Currently, we export our products to 14 countries and are actively working to expand our geographic footprint by preparing dossiers for entry into Southeast Asia, the Persian Gulf region, and China. We see great potential for exporting original and complex drugs. Simple generics are gradually being localized in target markets, so the focus is shifting to innovative, hard-to-manufacture, or original products,” says Rustem Muratov, General Director of Binnopharm Group.
R-Pharm also agrees that Russian medicines have high and sustainable potential in foreign markets. According to Adnan Chaudhry, Head of the Export Operations Department at the company, in recent years a full-cycle ecosystem for developing and manufacturing innovative drugs—from molecule to industrial production—has been established in Russia. Consequently, original Russian drugs with no direct analogues, as well as biosimilars, are of particular interest abroad.
“Since 2021, the company’s export volume has increased significantly. Today, R-Pharm exports to more than 20 countries. The company supplies original drugs of own development to foreign markets, which are registered not only in Russia but also in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Belarus. Registration in several Southeast Asian countries is expected soon, expanding the geographic reach of these innovative therapies,“ says Chaudhry.
Petrovax Pharm also reports growth in its export operations. In the first half of 2025, the company increased its international sales by more than 25% in monetary terms.
“Today, we supply 12 brands to 12 countries in the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Our company is a leader in the export of influenza vaccines, supplying over 5.5 million doses annually abroad. Our export geography is constantly expanding, with plans to enter markets in Egypt, West and Southern Africa, Vietnam, and several Arab states in the near future,” says Ilya Sokolov, Head of Export at Petrovax Pharm.
According to the company representative, interest in Russian drugs is growing for several reasons. First, the competitive quality of the drugs, which comply with international GMP standards, is backed by clinical data confirming their efficacy. Second, Russian original products often fill narrow therapeutic niches where global companies either have no solutions or offer treatments that are too costly for patients and healthcare systems.
New Markets and Growth Strategies
Experts identify the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America as the most promising regions for Russian exports—areas with rapidly growing populations and a demand for high-quality, affordable medicines.
Geropharm is focusing precisely on these markets. “The company’s drugs are present in 14 countries in the near and far abroad. Furthermore, we have our own representative offices in Minsk, Almaty, Baku, and Caracas. Production of our drugs has already been localized in Kazakhstan, and the transfer of insulin filling and packaging operations to Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Venezuela is underway. We supply insulin analogues and genetically engineered insulin drugs to all export countries. There is also demand for other medicines, including biosimilars for diabetes and obesity treatment,” says Dmitry Mamykin, Director of International Market Development at Geropharm.
He emphasized that original drugs may be absent or in short supply in some countries due to sanctions or high costs; in such cases, introducing a high-quality alternative can increase treatment accessibility. “For instance, this year, export geography has expanded to include one more destination with the registration of our drug in Paraguay. We plan to enter two more countries by the end of the year. Thus, the development of our insulin analogue and metabolic health biosimilar lines is becoming the foundation for scaling our international supplies,” Mamykin added.
Many markets in Asia and the Middle East are less developed in terms of pharmaceuticals, creating opportunities for the supply of original and complex drugs, agrees Rustem Muratov of Binnopharm Group. Some Southeast Asian countries still lack domestic production for certain drugs and are forced to purchase them from European or American manufacturers at high prices. “Russian drugs can occupy the niche between expensive Western analogues and local remedies, ensuring both accessibility and quality,” the expert believes.
According to the Geropharm representative, foreign partners’ interest in Russian drugs is driven by a combination of quality, price, and supply reliability. Furthermore, localization models—such as joint ventures or contract manufacturing in partner countries—are gaining popularity. “In CIS countries, we see high export growth dynamics, driven by the localization of production and the registration of new medicines,” the expert highlights.
The Promomed Group is developing similar approaches, focusing on long-term partnerships and the export of its own developments. “The company’s export sales have more than doubled over the past year. In addition to the post-Soviet states, we are seeing significant interest from far-abroad countries: East Asia, the Persian Gulf, Cuba, and others. Regulatory processes have already been initiated in a number of these countries,” notes Kira Zaslavskaya.
Barriers and Pathways to Overcoming Them
Russian pharmaceutical manufacturers cite lengthy and complex registration procedures, a lack of unified dossier requirements, and logistical issues as the main obstacles to export expansion.
According to market representatives, limitations still exist in the recognition of Russian GMP, GCP, and GLP standards. Without such certifications, market entry into a number of friendly countries, including those in MENA (Middle East and North Africa – Ed.) and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations – Ed.), remains difficult. Furthermore, companies face logistical constraints and challenges with cross-border data transfer, which are especially acute during drug registration and clinical trials.
“We see a critical need for harmonizing regulatory practices with friendly markets and the mutual recognition of clinical trial results conducted in Russia,” says R-Pharm’s Adnan Chaudhry. “It is important for relevant government agencies to establish regular contacts with foreign regulators, including bilateral meetings, experience sharing, and discussions on mechanisms for recognizing Russian data. Such dialogue would significantly accelerate the entry of domestic drugs into foreign markets.”
Logistical complexities remain a significant barrier, notes Geopharm. Supplies require reliable infrastructure, strict adherence to storage conditions, and flexible financial terms, which are not always achievable in developing markets. The lack of direct flights and sanctions policies increase transit times and raise shipping costs.
General Director of Binnopharm Group, in turn, emphasizes that systematic export growth requires comprehensive state support—primarily in the areas of clinical research, drug registration, and tax refunds. “Currently, support mechanisms in Russia are fragmented and quite bureaucratic. Measures aimed at reimbursing indirect taxes (VAT, excise duties) for exporters, state support for registration and research to accelerate international market entry, and simplified procedures for interacting with regulators and banks are advisable,” Rustem Muratov notes.
Petrovax Pharm also believes that measures to accelerate the international validation of data and expand mutual recognition agreements are key for export development. “We need programs that support GMP internationalization (joint inspections, practice sharing, digital dossiers) and stimulate R&D projects for original molecules and technology localization,” said Ilya Sokolov, stressing that while the drug registration process abroad is challenging, all issues are solvable when there is strong interest in a product.
In general, market participants believe the key to overcoming these barriers lies in systematic support for exporters and the intensification of interstate cooperation. Only through such measures can Russian pharmaceutical manufacturers successfully compete on a global level.
