The newspaper "Izvestia" writes, citing Roszdravnadzor, that the rise in prices for medicines that are not on the VED list (vital and essential medicines) in the first half of the year 2017 exceeded inflation by three times.

It is noted that the prices for this category of drugs increased by 7.6%. As experts believe, pharmacies thus try to compensate for losses due to regulation of prices for the category VED.

The head of the organization "Pharmacy Guild" Elena Nevolina said: "The prices for the category of VED are regulated, which makes it impossible to increase them in proportion to the increase in costs.

And taking into account inflation and the still fluctuating ruble rate, these costs increase. To somehow stay afloat, do not work at a loss, you have to raise prices for what is allowed, "TV channel" TV Center ".

It is noted that the unstable exchange rate of the ruble affects the growth of the cent, since about 90% of imported ingredients and primary packaging are used for medicine in Russia, which affects the final cost. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the fact that in the summer the demand for medicines falls.