Dependence on imports, and the backward state of the industry, have led President Dmitry Medvedev to declare the modernization of the pharmaceutical industry a national priority and one of the five key priority areas for modernization.

Minister of Health and Social Development Tatyana Golikova and German Health Minister Philipp Roesler concluded an agreement on cooperation in public health.

Russia is the first country to approve Merck KGaA's (MRCG.DE) new multiple sclerosis pill cladribine, giving the German drugmaker an edge in the emerging market against larger rival Novartis AG.

The Russian government has on Monday approved a list of strategically important drugs that will need to be manufactured in Russia in the years to come.

The Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk will build an insulin production plant in Kaluga, a regional administration official said on Friday.