Iran, Russia to Promote Exchange of Medical Products

The health ministries of Russia and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in the exchange of medical products and familiarize Russian and Iranian manufacturers with their respective potentials, the press service of Russia’s Health Ministry reported.
"The Russian Health Ministry and the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education have signed an agreement to develop bilateral cooperation to extend scientific, information and methodological support for the exchange of medical products," it added.
The memorandum of understanding was signed at a meeting of the Russian-Iranian Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation, co-chaired by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak in Grozny, Chechnya, Russia, on Tuesday, Interfax reported.
The deal is a result of both countries' intensive efforts aimed at strengthening their cooperation in healthcare and familiarizing Russian and Iranian representatives with national regulatory systems, it said.
Russia organized seminars for the Iranian Health Ministry and manufacturers on regulatory requirements. 
A delegation of Russian manufacturers and officials visited Iran in June to study Iran’s pharmaceutical industry, medical products, manufacturers and regulatory authorities, the press service said.
"The signed memorandum creates effective instruments for cooperation between regulatory bodies at the level of both administration and experts. It also envisages information exchange regarding counterfeit and low-quality medical goods and consultations by market experts prior to the submission of the files of medical goods and drugs for registration," Russian Deputy Health Minister Sergei Glagolev said.
The memorandum will help broaden the presence of Russian and Iranian manufacturers in both markets, he added.
Novak announced on Tuesday that bilateral trade and economic cooperation is growing steadily, despite Western sanctions imposed on the two countries.
Novosti quoted Novak as saying during a meeting of the government's Joint Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation: "Relations between our two countries are rapidly evolving, an intense pace of political dialogue is maintained at various levels,” adding that trade cooperation continues to grow steadily.
This year, the work of the Joint Government Committee reached a new qualitative level. An ongoing dialogue was organized between various government departments, and representatives of Russian and Iranian business communities met on the eve of the 16th session of the Intergovernmental Committee.
Novak affirmed that Russia-Iran collaboration has tangible results, despite foreign sanctions.