They're hurting for paws: there are not enough veterinary drugs in Russia

There is a shortage of foreign-made veterinary drugs in Russia, the relevant organizations told Izvestia. If in 2022 more than 750 names of medicines for animals were imported into the country, now it is less than 300. One of the reasons is the change in the order and conditions of importation of foreign medicines into Russia, experts believe. The decline in official supplies has led to the proliferation of illegal foreign veterinary drugs. The information about which medicines are in short supply and why it has not yet been possible to replace them is in the Izvestia article.

What foreign medicines are missing

There is a shortage of foreign veterinary medicines in Russia, the National Veterinary Chamber and the Association of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Manufacturers told Izvestia. In particular, it is almost impossible to buy the sought-after Propalin from the French company Vetoquinol (used for urinary incontinence in dogs) or Apoquel from the American Zoetis (designed for the treatment of allergic dermatitis in dogs).

"Russia is working on import substitution of foreign veterinary drugs, but not everyone has direct analogues of the active substance yet," the National Veterinary Chamber said. — This is, for example, "Apoquel".

The medicine can be replaced with hormonal drugs based on prednisone, methylprednisolone or dexamethasone, said veterinarian Mikhail Shelyakov.

— But you can't use them for a long time, as they cause a large number of side effects. Drugs from the cyclosporine group, such as Ecoral, Nioral and their analogues, can also be an alternative to the drug, but they have side effects with prolonged use, he said.

"Propalin" also does not have direct veterinary analogues yet, the veterinarian noted. According to him, now, if necessary, it can be replaced with human drugs.

— But it must be taken into account that the dosages of humans and animals are very different. With such a decision, it is necessary to consult with specialists," Mikhail Shelyakov emphasized.

In addition, the veterinary drugs Previcos and Semintra produced by the German company Boehringer Ingelheim and Bravecto from the American MSD are currently not on sale in Russia, said Nikolai Bespalov, Director of Development at the RNC analytical company.

Semintra is used to treat systemic hypertension and chronic kidney disease in cats. Previcos is an anti—inflammatory drug for dogs. And Bravecto is prescribed to protect dogs and cats from fleas and ticks.

Izvestia sent inquiries to Vetoquinol, Zoetis, MSD and Boehringer Ingelheim asking them to tell why their medicines are not available in Russia. The editorial board also sent a request to the Rosselkhoznadzor with a request to provide an assessment of the situation with the availability of foreign veterinary drugs and their analogues on the domestic market.

Vaccines for cats

In addition, there are difficulties with the availability of foreign vaccines for cats and dogs, the National Veterinary Chamber said. This information was confirmed by the owner of the veterinary hospital "Green Cat" Oleg Baydarov.

— Currently, there are no supplies of imported vaccines for small pets from Intervet (part of the American MSD. — Ed.), Boehringer Ingelheim and Zoetis, — he specified. — Our manufacturers have not been able to dramatically increase production in three years. For example, right now, during the vaccination season, there is a shortage of domestic vaccines for cats and dogs.

According to the National Veterinary Chamber, the shortage is due to restrictions on supplies from abroad and repair work at Russian production sites.

Oleg Baidarov stressed that the remaining stocks of foreign vaccines from Intervet, Boehringer Ingelheim or Zoetis are currently being sold on the market, or they are being imported illegally.

"Illegal import of vaccines does not guarantee compliance with storage conditions during their transportation and safety," Oleg Baydarov warned.

Nikolai Bespalov added that not only foreign vaccines for animals, but also veterinary medicines are illegally imported into Russia.

— Now the most common in the gray market are those that are in short supply in the country. Among them are Previcos, Semintra and Bravecto," he stressed.

According to Nikolai Bespalov, accounts are now actively developing on social networks where you can purchase medicines for animals that are not available in Russia. The expert urged not to buy them on such sites.

Why there are no medicines for animals

Russian manufacturers do not have the opportunity to legally market foreign medicines that are protected by a patent, Nikolai Bespalov recalled.

— Foreign companies can apply to the court with a demand to prohibit the introduction of an analog on the market, while their drug is protected by exclusive rights, — he specified. — This circumstance hinders import substitution.

However, the operation of the mechanism of parallel import of individual medicines for pets to Russia hinders the development of domestic drugs, the expert believes.

"If it didn't exist, demand for Russian veterinary medicines would grow at a more pronounced rate, which would stimulate producers," he believes.

And in order for consumers to fully switch from foreign-made vaccines to domestic ones, Russian companies need to increase production capacity by at least 2-3 times and solve logistical problems with the supply of raw materials, Nikolai Bespalov added.

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Semyon Zhavoronkov, Executive Director of the Association of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, recalled that in 2022, the range of foreign-made veterinary medicines on the Russian market amounted to more than 750 items. But now less than 300 are allowed for import. According to him, the availability of foreign drugs decreased after the conditions for their access to the Russian market changed in 2023.

— Then, in order to continue cooperation with Russia, manufacturers of foreign veterinary medicines were required to confirm the compliance of their production facilities with the GMP standard ("good manufacturing practice" is a set of rules and regulations that pharmaceutical companies should follow in the production of medicines. — Ed.). To do this, Russian inspections had to visit all the importers' production sites and issue their positive opinion," Semyon Zhavoronkov recalled.

The expert recalled that in March 2025, the veterinary drug Pimobendan was introduced to the Russian market for the treatment of heart failure in dogs of the German company Boehringer Ingelheim.