Section: "Current Trends in the Development of the Dietary Supplements Market in Russia"

The panel session "Current Trends in the Development of the Dietary Supplements Market in Russia" was moderated by Victoria Presnyakova — Director of the Self-Regulatory Organization Association of Independent Pharmacies, Head of the Alliance of Pharmaceutical Associations, Chairperson of the Committee on Pharmaceutical Activities of the regional branch of "Business Russia." The session was devoted to market dynamics, regulatory issues, and industry prospects.

At the beginning of the session, Victoria Presnyakova reported that, according to the analytical data presented, the dietary supplements market grew by 23.9% to reach 182.5 billion rubles, despite a decline in unit sales (409 million packages), reflecting inflationary growth and a shift toward more expensive products. The main sales channels remain the pharmacy segment and marketplaces, the latter's share having reached 23%. Tighter control has led to a leveling off of growth rates between online and pharmacy sales. Key trends noted include product personalization, the development of the premium segment, and an initiative to have certain dietary supplements prescribed by doctors.

Gleb Stankovsky, Advisor at Firm.One, Russian Patent Attorney ("Websites and Information about Dietary Supplements on the Internet: Current Regulatory Issues in 2026"), spoke about enforcement practices regarding website blocking: about 6,000 sites have already been restricted due to violations. The speaker analyzed the criteria for prohibitions, liability, and new requirements for advertising wording, emphasizing the need for strict compliance with legislation when promoting products.

Oksana Nemyatykh, Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Management and Economics of Pharmacy, noted the intensifying competition between dietary supplements and medicinal drugs, despite significantly differing regulatory and quality control requirements. According to her, the key role belongs to the pharmacist, who must distinguish between the categories and prevent the risks of uncontrolled use.

Hayk Arakelyan, Member of the Board of OPORA RUSSIA, Founder of the MIRROLLA Group, emphasized the need for a transparent regulatory system, the creation of a dietary supplements registry, and the acceleration of laboratory testing. In his opinion, the industry needs uniform control rules without equating dietary supplements with medicinal drugs.

Larisa Garbuzova, Candidate of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Associate Professor at Mechnikov North-Western State Medical University, noted that the trust of pharmacies and doctors is directly linked to product quality: dietary supplements generate significant revenue for pharmacies, but doctors' recommendations remain cautious due to the risks of uncontrolled use.

Levon Arustumyan, Chairman of the relevant committee of "Business Russia," General Director of the SanPitControl Center, drew attention to the lack of innovation in the industry. Key barriers identified include the gap between science and business, financial constraints, and regulatory complexities. As a solution, the development of a "technology broker" institute and the expansion of state support measures were proposed.

Based on the session outcomes, participants noted that the dietary supplements market retains a growth potential of 12–15% annually, but its sustainable development requires a balance between increased regulation and the stimulation of innovation.