Penza, 22 June 2017. PenzaNews. The state should increase its support for domestic drug producers because import substitution in medcine is a matter of health of the nation. Such opinion was expressed by M.D. prof. Villory Strukov, head of the Pediatrics and Neonatology Department of Penza institute of advanced doctors' training, head of the Pediatrics Department of the medical institute of Penza State University.

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"To some extent it is a matter of the country's defence capacity. Take the issue of infant formula for example. [...] We should feed our babies only with local products. The same is true for drugs - they must be only of local production. This is the only was we can survive. It is a matter of health of the nation," he said in an interview to PenzaNews, the full version of which will be available on Friday, June 23.

Villory Strukov noted that dominance of foreign companies is still observed in the Russian health care system.

"Unfortunately, nowadays Russian enterprises that produce good drugs recognized in many countries of the world have a difficult time. [...] The health care system promotes everything of foreign production. It is enough to take a look at medical aid standards or lectures that are delivered in universities. What kind of drugs do they suggest to apply? 95% of foreign drugs. As a result, young specialists graduate from our – Russian – university, and treat patients with foreign pills," the interlocutor noted.