CPhI Russia  returns to the Russian capital – taking place at the JSC VDNH (VVC), Moscow 28th-30th March – as the Government’s Pharma 2020 plan continues to stimulate demand for international pharmaceutical ingredients, manufacturing and packaging equipment. The event’s forth edition will see the P-MEC zone – for pharma machinery specialists – and the Innopack zone – for pharma packaging professionals; and feature a three-day trade show, the content-led IPhEB Conference (Forum) and numerous networking opportunities.

Collectively, the partnerships and deals struck at CPhI Russia have helped establish Russia at the forefront of pharmerging markets and it is expected to reach a value of US$31.2 billion by 2019. This, coupled with a Government commitment to invest nearly US$5 billion in funding to bring existing manufacturing sites to GMP standards, is driving increased interest in the event. Under the new plan, foreign investment is also encouraged through a fast-track approval process and tax incentives.

The country has attracted a strong base of international pharma companies – an overwhelming 76 percent of total pharmaceutical sales are attributed to imported drugs – with many more foreign manufacturers now looking to capitalise on this attractive market. Integral to the internationalisation of this market is CPhI Russia, which acts a central hub for buyers and sellers within the region, providing a vital platform where pharma executives can connect, build and nurture existing relationships. With a limited API manufacturing base, the country also presents strong partnership and supply opportunities for manufacturers from China and India.

"We are seeing a steady growth in three main areas driven by a gentrifying healthcare sector, a rising local population and government support for domestic manufacturing. Currency variation aside, the pharma market is growing at just under 10 percent year-on-year and distributers, APIs manufacturers and machinery providers are seeing high demand across Russia and CIS countries. Traditionally, Russia has been a hard market to enter and that is why CPhI Russia has become so intertwined with the market’s growth." Commented Orhan Caglayan, brand director at CPhI Russia.

The event will gather more than 3000 attendees from 64 countries, and 199 exhibitors to network and do business with the top pharma ingredients, manufacturers, packaging experts, and machining specialists in the region. Attendees are able to gain in-depth insights from the International Forum, a dedicated matchmaking program, speaker sessions, and other networking opportunities. The programme includes detailed analysis on ‘Compulsory licensing: features, opportunities and threats’, ‘Drugs labelling: first experience and prospects’, ‘Modern assortment solutions and global trends in the pharmaceutical packaging industry’. As well as a session that explores the dramatic rise in new machinery and the move towards increased GM standards – entitled ‘Russian inspectorate does not sleep.

"The Russia pharma market has yet to reach its full potential and by bringing together regional companies with C-level executives, we hope to speed its development. The unique content and market analysis at the event are essential in helping both domestic and international companies evaluate best opportunities for partnerships and growth", added Caglayan.

At CPhI Russia partnerships are created with leading companies and government institutions from Russia, CIS, and CEE regions. To speed-up and tailor each companies visit, the CPhI Russia pharma matchmaking service allows attendees to schedule meetings with only the most relevant partners – its also enables sellers to becomes buyers as they see new potential suppliers.

Tatyana Andreeva, the project manager of Codema – a company that created a platform for qualified persons, auditors and consultants to exchange ideas on API related topics – said, "At CPhI Russia, you can seize the opportunity to find partners to work with in Russia. Without this kind of event it is extremely difficult to approach the Russian market."