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Three Myths about Clinical Trials in Russia

With its population of 145 million and total pharmaceutical sales of almost 29 billion dollars in 2013, Russia today is among the world’s ten largest pharmaceutical markets. The question is, why do international drug developers not rush to take advantage of what we refer to as the Russian Troika Promise of Speed, Cost and Quality? The truly don’t, because the number of international clinical trials in Russia grew at a CAGR of only 3.17 per cent from 2005 to 2013, while worldwide CAGR is 5.73 per cent. There are some frequently cited stereotypes that deter sponsors from starting clinical trials in Russia. Igor Stefanov of Synergy Research Group explores those stereotypes and whether they have merit.