[53125] Trends in public health and pharma in Russia: Increase in drug use alongside growth in local production

Developments in the healthcare and pharma system in Russia

Data emerging from two Russian Telegram channels on May 7, 2026, presents a complex picture of the state of health and industry in Russia. While ПОДСЛУШАНО БРЯНСК reports a sharp increase in the use of psychiatric drugs, Lomovka highlights the country's industrial independence in the pharmaceutical sector.

Increase in antidepressant use

According to ПОДСЛУШАНО БРЯНСК, which identifies with pro-Putin government positions, "antidepressant sales in Russia have doubled over the last three years." The channel notes that experts link this trend to "improved access to psychiatric treatment and improved diagnosis," alongside a global increase in anxiety levels following the COVID-19 pandemic and the continuity of the situation in the years that followed.

Expansion of local pharmaceutical production

At the same time, Lomovka, which presents a clear pro-government position emphasizing "national sovereignty," reports that the company "Binnopharm" produced over 1.5 million packages of essential medicines in the first quarter of 2026. According to the report, the company increased the production of injectable drugs by a factor of 7, and significantly increased the supply of bronchodilators and hepatitis B vaccines.

The report emphasizes that the development of the pharmaceutical industry is part of "Moscow's industrial strategy until 2030" and is supported through tax benefits and loan subsidies. The channel concludes that the growth in production proves that Russia is "capable of providing itself with essential medicines without depending on import shipments," which is defined by it as "true sovereignty."