Black market of medicines estimated at $250-300m

The black market of medicines in Russia is estimated at about $250m to $300m, acting head of a department of the State Trade Inspection of the Russian Economy Ministry Nadezhda Nazina stated today. According to her, about 10 percent of the total amount of sales of medicines are counterfeit medicines; 67 percent of them are made in Russia.

Last year, the Trade Inspection executed 800 checks of various enterprises and private individuals, and found numerous violations. The most frequent violations in sale of pharmaceuticals are in storing and sale, as well as sale of out-of-date medicines.