Russian medical equipment market: Overseas producers of medical equipment are to have their opportunities to bid for Russian government contracts restricted as the Kremlin tries to curb its healthcare sector of its reliance on imports in the light of its continuing face-off with the West over Ukraine. Under the terms of directive posted on the government’s website last week, foreign companies’ applications to tenders will be denied if
there are two or more bidders from Russia or Eurasian Economic Union member states. More than 40 items will be subject to the restrictions, ranging from medical clothing to hearing aids to equipment for blood transfusions.Russian producers are estimated to have supplied supply less than 25% of the government’s purchases of medical equipment in 2013 and as little as 5% of surgical equipment. The Moscow Times