About SPFO

The Society of Professional Pharmaceutical Organizations (SPFO) was established in May 2002, bringing together in one association major domestic distributors, foreign and domestic manufacturers, and pharmacy chains, which, taken together, account for over 60 percent of the pharmaceutical market in Russia.

SPFO was founded by three companies: Aventis Pharma (a major international manufacturer), SIA International, and Protek Group (both are the largest national distributors accounting for over 42 percent of the share in the distributor sector of the market.

As of January 1, 2011, SPFO had 37 members.

The general meeting of the members is the highest governing body of SPFO, with the Supervisory Committee managing its operational activities.

Mr. Vadim Yakunin (PROTEK Group) is the Chairman of the Supervisory Board.

SPFO activities are based on positive programs and projects developed and implemented in accordance with the principles of teamwork.

Russian and English are working languages of SPFO since membership is both local and international.

WHY SPFO IS DIFFERENT

Recognized Industry Expert
It represents the entire supply chain; it partners with and makes use of internationally recognized industry and legal experts; and its the only trade association partnering with the key agencies and ministries;

Initiator
It initiates best practice programs and projects

Bridge
It is a good link to the government and communicator within the industry

Practical focus
Most of the initiatives have practical application

User-oriented
It recognizes the needs of individual companies, focusing on effective communication

OUR MOST VISIBLE SUCCESSES

1. Strong integrated organization established and operational (grown from 3 members in 2002 to 37 in 2011);

2. Joint government/industry anti-counterfeiting program established and operational resulting in the reduction of the scope and scale of counterfeiting from 15% in 2002 to 0.11% in 2010;

3. A comprehensive pool of industry and legal experts in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector established and operational;

4. NIR-based Drug Control Technology introduced and embraced by the Government as part of the National Pharmaceutical Control System Development Program. As a result, the Government has established a system of 7 major drug laboratories throughout the Federal Administrative Okrugs.

5. Decisive contribution to the draft Reimbursement System Document as the first step for the introduction of the full-sized reimbursement system in Russia;

6. Strong support to member - companies throughout the latest healthcare reform steps initiated by the Government;

7. GMP Program launched with the support of the Ministry of Health and Social Development and Ministry of Industry and Trade;

8. Successful communication program aimed at the key agencies to keep the pharmaceutical customs points and logistics centers in the Moscow Region;

9. Publication of the Healthcare Governance Journal

SPFO Priorities for 2011-2014
• Building partnerships;
• Harmonizing legislation;
• Promoting reimbursement;
• Promoting GMP and GxP;

SPFO is a proactive member of:
• The Council for the Development of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Industries with the Russian Government;
• The Foreign Investment Promotion Task Force with the Ministry of Economic Development;
• The Expert Council with the Federal Customs Service and Central Unit of the Federal Customs Service;
• The Expert Council for Biotechnology Industry with the Industrial Committee of the State Duma (Russian Parliament);
• The Expert Council with the Federal Antimonopoly Service;
• The Healthcare Committee of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation;
• The Russian Chamber of Commerce;
• The Moscow Trade Association of Industrialists;
• The Editorial Board of the Pharmvestnik Newspaper;
• The Editorial Board of the Healthcare Governance Journal;

SPFO Pool of Experts includes
• Mr. Meshkovsky, WHO Expert;
• Mr. Prepialov, Lawyer and Pharmacist;
• The Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences;
• The Center for Comparative Social Studies of the Moscow State University;
• Goltsblat and Partners (law firm);
• Leading in-house legal and business experts from SPFO members.