Driven by state support and a pivot towards international markets, Russia’s medical technology and pharmaceutical sectors are emerging as significant players on the global stage. For an industry once focused inwardly, exports are now viewed as the critical pathway to recouping investments in costly, high-tech research and development, fueling a new wave of growth.
This outward push is built on a foundation of robust domestic expansion. In 2024, the production of medical devices in Russia surged by 14% to 850 billion RUB (985 billion INR), while pharmaceutical production grew by 21.5% to 800 billion RUB (927 billion INR). The government has backed this industrial ramp-up with a 30-billion-ruble (34 billion INR) support package for innovative medical manufacturers.
A Widening Global Footprint
Russian pharmaceutical exports, spanning over 2,700 trade names, now reach more than 150 countries. Key exports include antibiotics and vaccines for diseases like measles, flu, and polio, with annual shipments of medicines totaling about 45,000 tons, valued at 180 billion RUB (208 billion INR) in 2024. Beyond drugs, exports include high-value items like prosthetics, surgical instruments, laboratory equipment, and implants.
Growth trends are accelerating. In the first five months of 2025, pharmaceutical shipments abroad grew by 8% year-on-year, with explosive demand in new markets. Exports to Congo jumped 66%, to Algeria by 226%, and to Morocco by an astonishing 510%. Overall, shipments to Africa grew 16%, and to South America by 12%. This expansion is strategically supported by the national project “International Cooperation and Export.”
Navigating Market Realities and Finding a Niche
Industry leaders acknowledge the strategic focus on non-traditional markets. “Western European markets are occupied by well-known international monopolies,” notes Ivan Khudyakov, CEO of prosthetic manufacturer Steplife. He sees greater opportunity in Asia, BRICS nations, and the EAEU.
Andrey Davydyuk, General Director of cybernetic prosthetics firm Motorica, identifies a global market gap. “Global brands are oriented toward premium products, and Chinese ones toward low price with limited functionality,” he explains. “Therefore, a niche exists for solutions with advanced technology, reliability, and reasonable cost.”
This strategy is bearing fruit. Motorica, which uses AI, 3D printing, and graphene silicone in its products, is targeting exports to India, Vietnam, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, and has established a hub office in New Delhi.
The Power of Partnerships and State Support
A cornerstone of the export strategy is forging international industrial partnerships. Steplife’s collaboration with a major Chinese consortium has yielded a new bionic prosthetic module, with plans to launch products across Asia and South America. The company also secured a 1-billion-ruble (1 billion INR) deal to supply prosthetic components to Sudan, facilitated in part by support from the Moscow Export Center (MEC).
For exporters, the state offers a comprehensive toolkit via the Russian Export Center (REC) and its digital platform “My Export,” which provides analytics, logistical and certification guidance, and access to international trade events. “If a company is just starting out, then analytics on target sales markets… and full support for export deliveries from the REC Export School will be relevant,” says Andrey Dobritsa, the REC’s Director for Pharma and MedTech Export Support. For companies with contracts, the REC assists with trade finance and risk insurance.
The Road Ahead
Official targets underscore the scale of ambition. The “Pharma 2030” program forecasts that exports of Russian medical products will rise to between $2.35 billion and $3.4 billion (₹211 and 305 billion) by 2030. The industry’s growing confidence stems from a belief that the global success of Russian vaccines has built a positive reputation for its biomedical sector as a whole.
By leveraging state support, Russia’s medical technology industry is methodically constructing a new identity—not just as a domestic supplier, but as a competitive and innovative force in global healthcare.
