President Medvedev instructed that draft legislative bills for the procurement of medicines and medical equipment for government and municipal needs be prepared.
These bills must ensure the priority of Russian producers when fulfilling orders for such supplies, establish standards to eliminate conflicts of interest in the organisation of medical care and the above purchases, regulate the costs incurred for these purchases, and help improve the system for registering medicines and medical equipment. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is responsible for the execution of this instruction.
Mr Medvedev also declared that prosecutors must have increased supervision rights on the procurement of medicines and medical equipment for government and municipal needs. Prosecutor General Yury Chaika is responsible for this measure.
Those responsible must report on these measures by March 1, 2010.
President Medvedev instructed the heads of the supreme executive bodies of regional public authorities to take measures to eliminate discrimination against Russian manufacturers when placing orders for medicine and medical equipment for government and municipal needs.
These instructions are being given following an audit conducted by the Presidential Control Directorate together with the Federal Antimonopoly Service. The audit uncovered numerous violations in the market for medicines and medical equipment. In particular, irregularities in the procurement of medicines and medical equipment for government and municipal needs have resulted in large budget overruns.