Government support for innovation in the pharmaceutical industry: a comparative analysis of Russia and Finland

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Abstract

Goal. This study proposes measures to enhance government support for innovation-driven development in Russia’s pharmaceutical industry by 2030, based on a comparative analysis of strategies implemented in Russia and Finland from 2009 to 2023. Finland was chosen due to similar innovation goals and notable industry growth during the study period. Results. The analysis shows that both countries successfully transitioned their pharmaceutical sectors to innovation-oriented development using different policy instruments. Russia emphasized increasing the share of locally manufactured medicines: as the domestic market expanded by 30%, the local production share rose from 24% to 37%, the sector’s GDP contribution grew by 64%, and the share of innovation-active enterprises increased by 18 percentage points. Finland focused on integrating into global value chains by investing in R&D and early-stage development, achieving a 118% rise in pharmaceutical exports while maintaining self-sufficiency. Conclusion. Both countries doubled pharmaceutical sector investment during the period. To support the implementation of the Pharma-2030 Strategy, Russia is recommended to adopt some elements of Finland’s approach, particularly the development of export-oriented innovation networks, motivation of stronger science-business linkages, and reduced regulatory barriers, including better access to biobanks and patient data for research purposes.

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About the authors

Daria А. Vorobeva

«Kept Tax and Advisory» LLC

Author for correspondence.
Email: daria.vorobyeva1@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0002-8901-4881
SPIN-code: 1602-7880

Associate manager, Market research

Russian Federation, Moscow

Gleb М. Samoilov

Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration

Email: gsamoylov-22-01@ranepa.ru

Postgraduate student, Department of State Regulation of Economy, Institute of Public Administration and Civil Service

Russian Federation, Moscow

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Supplementary files

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2. Fig. 1. Stages of implementation of development strategies for the pharmaceutical industry and medical science in the Russian Federation.

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3. Fig. 2. Ratio of pharmaceutical production and export volumes in the Russian Federation, billion rubles (left axis); share of pharmaceuticals produced in Russia as a percentage of total consumption in monetary terms (right axis).

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4. Fig. 3. Ratio of pharmaceutical production and export volumes in the Republic of Finland (RF), billion euros (left axis); share of pharmaceuticals produced in the RF as a percentage of total consumption in monetary terms (right axis).

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