The Ministry of Industry and Trade plans to expand the list of medical products subject to import restrictions.

In order to develop and support the state program for the development of the pharmaceutical and medical industries, Resolution No. 102 of February 5, 2015, "On the establishment of restrictions on the admission of medical devices originating from foreign countries to meet state and municipal needs," was adopted earlier this year. According to the resolution, the procurement of certain types of medical devices (included in the list) produced in foreign countries, with the exception of Armenia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, for state and municipal needs is prohibited. The list includes medical clothing, certain reagent kits, polymer containers for bioassays, gamma cameras, electrocardiographs, computed tomography scanners, surgical needles, dental carbide burs, microsurgical tweezers, microsurgical ophthalmic instruments, non-implantable hearing aids, personal glucometers, etc. All applications for the supply of medical devices manufactured abroad will be rejected provided that at least two applications are submitted for the supply of medical devices manufactured in Russia, Armenia, Belarus, or Kazakhstan. Applications cannot include offers for the supply of the same type of medical device from a single manufacturer. According to Olga Kolotilova, Director of the Department for Development of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Industry of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the resolution is implementing a comprehensive policy to support domestic manufacturers and optimize the procurement of medical devices at the state level. According to her, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has prepared a proposal to expand the list of medical devices in the adopted Resolution. The expanded list includes dressings (napkins, bandages, and bags), technical rehabilitation equipment for the disabled (canes, supports, walkers, etc.), X-ray machines, protective clothing, sterilizers, defibrillators, incubators for newborns, and other products manufactured in Russia. Olga Kolotilova noted that the Resolution does not provide for a complete ban on government procurement of foreign medical devices, but rather a restriction in cases where two or more Russian companies participate in the competition. If a Russian company fails to win, the foreign product will be purchased. This initiative aims to reduce dependence on imports. Back in 2009, a strategy for the development of the medical and pharmaceutical industries was adopted, and targets were set for 2020: 50% of the market for Russian medicines and 40% for Russian medical devices. ElePS [http://eleps.ru/o_kompanii/] is a leading domestic manufacturer of endoscopic equipment. We are the only full-cycle manufacturer in Russia: equipment, optics, and instruments. We produce high-quality products that meet European standards at domestic prices. ElePS is ready to offer complete import substitution in the field of endoscopic surgery.