The Ministry of Health commented on the application of the new OKVED code for pharmacies

As recalled in the RAAS Telegram channel "Provisioners", many market participants have already expressed their assumptions and interpretations of the innovations. Lawyers, having studied the thematic order, came to the conclusion that "with the existing design of the norm and taking into account other current norms" pharmacies can use the new code as an additional one to the existing code 47.73 "Retail trade of medicines in specialized stores (pharmacies)".

The RAAS noted that in this matter one can also be guided by the opinion of the Russian Ministry of Health, to which the association turned for clarification and received an official response. Thus, the regulator believes that “pharmacy organizations whose licenses indicate the types of work (services) provided for in paragraphs 7-9 of the List have the right to use code 86.90.9 regardless of whether one type of work (services) is indicated, for example, dispensing of medicinal products for medical use, or all.

“In any case, the heads of pharmacy organizations can calmly think about changing the OKVED and assess the need for any actions in this direction, since the innovations do not contain an obligation for such a change,” the RAAS summarized .

The Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology (Rosstandart) approved an order with amendments to the All-Russian Classifier of Economic Activities in April 2025. From code 47.73 "Retail trade of medicines in specialized stores" the activity of dispensing drugs for medical use was excluded, and in code 86.90.9 "Other medical activities not included in other groupings" pharmaceutical activities in terms of dispensing and manufacturing drugs, including radiopharmaceutical drugs for medical use, were added.