• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Sci-tech

Sanctions see Russians panic buy anti-depressants, sleeping pills -data

25 March 2022, 1:10 PM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews
Illustration photo shows various medicine pills in their original packaging in Brussels, Belgium August 9, 2019.

Illustration photo shows various medicine pills in their original packaging in Brussels, Belgium August 9, 2019.

Image: Reuters

Illustration photo shows various medicine pills in their original packaging in Brussels, Belgium August 9, 2019.

Russians have rushed to stock up on anti-depressants, sleeping pills and contraceptives among other products since the conflict in Ukraine began, data released on Thursday showed, with people buying a month’s worth of medicine in just two weeks.

Although official opinion polls suggest most Russians support President Vladimir Putin’s decision to send tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine, social media, interviews and anecdotal data suggest many Russians have been distressed by the severity of the sanctions imposed on Moscow by the West to try to force it to withdraw its forces.

Many foreign brands have announced they are suspending their operations or quitting Russia, the rouble’s value against the dollar has slumped dramatically, and prices for many everyday products have soared since Feb. 24 when Putin announced what he called “a special operation” in Ukraine.

“I myself take L-thyroxine as I have issues with my thyroid gland so I’m taking it daily and I worry about it,” Valentina, a Moscow resident, said.

“That’s why I bought a supply of it for a couple of months in advance as I’m worried if I will be able to find it in pharmacies later. People are asking for it everywhere.”

Sales data gathered by analytical company DSM Group for the daily Vedomosti newspaper showed on Thursday that Russians had bought 270.5 million medicinal items in pharmacies from Feb. 28 until March 13 for 98.6 billion roubles ($1.04 billion).

That was almost comparable to the sales data for the entire month of January when Russians bought 288 million items in pharmacies for 100 billion roubles.

The latest data, which did not name specific brands, showed an upsurge in demand for foreign-produced pharmaceuticals with demand for Russian-made products growing too.

In particular, it showed sharply increased demand for anti-depressants, sleeping pills, insulin, cancer and heart drugs, hormones and contraceptives.

“It was fear,” Sergei Shulyak, general director of DSM Group, the company that gathered the data, told Reuters.

“The first fear was that everything could get more expensive and the second fear was that medicines they need won’t be available in some time. Those fears moved people. They stood in lines at pharmacies and bought everything.”

Shulyak, who said what he called “hysteria” had taken hold, said there was now a temporary shortage of some medicines, but said he expected the situation to stabilise in time with Russian manufacturers still able to produce generic drugs and many foreign producers continuing to supply Russia even if their products were now being sold at a higher price.

He warned however that worsening ties with the West meant some Russian drug producers were having problems sourcing ingredients they needed to make their products.

Some Russians said they were unfazed by the panic.

“There might be some (shortages) especially if the medicine is imported, but I think it will all come back because politics is politics, economics is economics,” said Vladimir, a Moscow resident. “They (the drug manufacturers) all need to sell, they all need to gain profit, so it’ll all be back.”

Share article
Tags: Russia
Previous Post

Court hears how Life Esidimeni psychiatric patients were malnourished

Next Post

Weekly Global COVID-19 Wrap: 25 March 2022

Related Posts

CORONAVIRUS: Your daily update

1 July 2022, 6:20 AM
Pfizer's coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pill Paxlovid is packaged in Ascoli, Italy, in this undated image obtained by Reuters on November 16, 2021.

Pfizer asks for formal U.S. approval of oral COVID treatment Paxlovid

30 June 2022, 9:39 PM
Condoms form the red ribbon, which represents the international symbol for AIDS at a wall of establishment in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Health department launches National Youth HIV Prevention Strategy

30 June 2022, 4:22 PM
An electron microscopic (EM) image shows mature, oval-shaped monkeypox virus particles as well as crescents and spherical particles of immature virions, obtained from a clinical human skin sample associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak in this undated image obtained by Reuters on May 18, 2022.

Western Cape residents advised not to panic after confirmation of Monkeypox case

30 June 2022, 9:11 AM
COVID-19 vaccine makers, including Pfizer, have been developing vaccines to target the Omicron variant that became dominant last winter, driving a massive surge in infections.

Pfizer signs $3.2 bln deal with US government for COVID vaccine doses

30 June 2022, 2:51 AM
A weekly look at tech innovations and its impact.

FEATURE: Tools to help you work remotely during rolling blackouts

29 June 2022, 8:23 PM
Next Post
The SABC News COVID-19 Global Wrap brings you highlights of news which dominated headlines with regards to the coronavirus pandemic.

Weekly Global COVID-19 Wrap: 25 March 2022

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • E Cape Liquor Board says Enyobeni tavern owner will face criminal charges
  • Zulu Royal Palace abuzz as King Misuzulu’s cleansing ceremony continues
  • Limpopo residents concerned about illegal harvesting of the Matumi tree
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • Mosimane alleges sabotage from CAF President Patrice Motsepe
  • SANTACO and NTA calls on COSATU to join the national shutdown over the hiking fuel prices
  • NTA yet to decide whether to support calls for national shutdown amid fuel price hikes

LATEST

FILE PHOTO: A burned tank stands near the town of Adwa, Tigray region, Ethiopia, March 18, 2021.
  • Africa

Ethiopia blames militia for killing 338 people in Oromiya region in June


  • Politics

LIVE : Malema and Ndlozi’s assault case resumes


File Image: Rock musician Frank Zappa plays guitar during a performance at the Warner Theatre in Washington, US, February 1988.
  • Lifestyle

Universal Music acquires ‘Cosmik Debris’ guitarist Frank Zappa’s catalog


Spain's Rafael Nadal in action during his second-round match against Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain on 30 June 2022.
  • Sport

Nadal taking extra care with COVID scare at Wimbledon


Ukrainian soldiers wave from their tank, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in the village of Kolychivka, outside Chernihiv, Ukraine, April 5, 2022.
  • World
  • Russia, Ukraine conflict

IN BRIEF: Russia-Ukraine conflict | Missile kills 14 near Odesa after Ukraine retakes Snake Island


Deputy President David Mabuza.
  • Politics

Mabuza urges ANC members to emulate former Youth League leader Peter Mokaba


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Court hears how Life Esidimeni psychiatric patients were malnourished
Next Weekly Global COVID-19 Wrap: 25 March 2022