MOSCOW, September 25 (RAPSI) – A bill envisaging that pharmacies in Russia are to be allowed to resume preparation of medicines registered in the country has been submitted to the State Duma, according to the database of the lower house of the Russian Parliament.

The bill has been authored by representatives of the United Russia political party, the record reads.

At present, the parliamentarians remind, the law on medicines prohibits pharmacies, veterinary pharmacies and licensed to engage in pharmaceutics self-employed entrepreneurs to manufacture pharmaceutical products registered in Russia.

The authors of the bill believe that these provisions resulted in a significant decline in the range and quantities of medicinal preparations, as well as massive shutdowns of compounding pharmacies across the country.

However, the lawmakers stress, production of medicines in pharmacies had been allowed prior to the adoption of the law on medicines in 2010.

In an explanatory note to the bill its authors state that the problem of lack of pharmaceutical substances is especially urgent in pediatrics, where the pharmaceutical industry meets only 10% of the needs. They also believe that the resumed production of medicines by pharmacies will help to cover deficits in supply of prefabricated pharmaceutical products.