The delegation of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security visited the pharmaceutical plant of JSC Biochemist

On November 19, 2020, a delegation from the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation paid an official visit to JSC Biochemik, one of Russia's largest pharmaceutical companies within the PROMOMED Group of Companies. The senators got acquainted with the work of the plant, the stages of production of antiviral drugs and antibiotics, as well as high-tech equipment for the production of strategically important domestic pharmaceutical products.

The program of the visit included a visit to the new production building, which was commissioned at the end of 2019. The management of the enterprise acquainted the members of the delegation with the process of releasing the antibiotic Azithromycin in the form of lyophilizate, the only Russian manufacturer of which is JSC Biochemik. Special attention was paid to the site for the production of active pharmaceutical substances by biological and chemical synthesis for the production of the drug against coronavirus infection "Areplivir".

According to Viktor Bondarev, Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security, drug safety is becoming strategically important during the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. "We inspected the plant and made sure once again that we have everything in place to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The company operates rhythmically, in three shifts, the organization of production is at the highest level," said the senator. "I am confident that we will fulfill the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin to prevent shortages and provide free medicines to all patients with coronavirus infection." According to the Deputy chairman of the Committee, Sergey Arenin, the medical units of the Ministry of Defense and other law enforcement agencies are showing particular interest in the new antiviral drug.  "I am a native of Saransk and I have a feeling of pride that young people in my homeland have fulfilled the task set by the President. Medicines are certainly very important and necessary at this stage," he stressed.

In turn, Peter Bely, Chairman of the Board of Directors of PROMOMED Group, expressed gratitude to the members of the upper house of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation for their support in the development of new antiviral drugs. "I believe that this is an important achievement not only for us as manufacturers, but also for the entire Russian healthcare system. And most importantly, those who should be concerned about the security of the country. Together, we will cope with the severe scourge that has befallen not only us, but the whole world," said Petr Bely.

 The history of the plant dates back to 1959. From the very first days of its existence, it has been actively involved in solving the most important tasks of the pharmaceutical industry. A historic milestone in the company's development was the launch of the first stage of Soviet penicillin, which was supplied to 13 countries around the world. Today, the company has five workshops specializing in the production of tablets and capsules, ointments and gels, solutions in ampoules. JSC Biochemist produces up to 100 million vials of antibiotics of various groups per year. In total, the company's product line includes more than 150 names of drugs, and about 170 more are under development. A revolutionary breakthrough for the company was the release of the antiviral drug against coronavirus infection Areplivir. The company is able to produce up to 1 million packages of medicines per month, which allows it to cover all the needs of Russian medical institutions.