The State Duma of the Russian Federation has adopted amendments to the Law “On the Circulation of Medicines” in its second and third readings, launching an experiment in retail sales through mobile pharmacy units. According to the State Duma press service, the initiative was prepared by deputies to fulfill the Russian President’s directive and aims to radically improve the accessibility of medicines for residents of remote areas.
Statistics and Experiment Parameters
The issue of supplying medicines to small settlements is quite acute. According to experts cited in the State Duma, out of 83,000 currently operating pharmacies in Russia, only 14% are located in hard-to-reach areas. The new retail format is designed to compensate for this shortage.
The experiment will officially begin on September 1, 2026, and the procedure for its implementation will be further determined by the Government of the Russian Federation. State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin noted that a single mobile pharmacy will be able to serve up to 50 assigned locations.
Technical Equipment and Assortment
Strict technical requirements will be applied to the mobile units. The vehicle delivering the medicines must have specialized equipment capable of ensuring the fully autonomous operation of the pharmacy unit, including maintaining the necessary conditions for the medications.
What can be purchased “on wheels”?
Residents will be able to purchase not only common over-the-counter drugs but also order required prescription medicines (on-demand service). However, for safety reasons, several strict limitations are established. The following are prohibited for sale:
- Narcotic and psychotropic substances;
- Medicines requiring special storage conditions (e.g., strict temperature control);
- Drugs subject to strict quantitative tracking.
The launch of mobile pharmacies will not lead to the closure of stationary facilities, as the mobile format is exclusively targeted at zones where there are currently no permanent pharmacies. This project will be an important step in developing the social infrastructure of the regions.
