On December 9, 2021, the Association of Consumer Health Industry and the National Pharmacists Chamber signed a memorandum of understanding. The document was signed by Elena Nevolina, Executive Director of the Association of Consumer Health Industry, and Alexander Apazov, President of the National Pharmacists Chamber. With this step the parties have confirmed their readiness to unite their efforts for the implementation of initiatives contributing to the formation of a culture of responsible self-care and increasing the quality of life and life expectancy of Russian citizens.

ACHI and NPhP intend to cooperate in promoting the individual, social and economic value of responsible self-care, to conduct activities to improve basic health literacy, and to promote the availability of high-quality health products in Russia through improving the legislative framework in the field of public health, circulation of medicines, medical devices and other health products.

Constructive interaction between consumer health products market participants and the pharmacists’ community is extremely important to support consumers and patients facing the need to become more involved in decisions about their own health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Creating conditions in which an individual has the access to the necessary knowledge and tools of the health care system in order to consciously and reasonably assess risks to one’s own health and choose a safe and effective treatment or prevention option is fully in the interest of public health in Russia and is a common task for the state, industry, and health care professionals.

The Memorandum between NPhP and ACHI is open for professional organizations that are willing to cooperate in the interests of consumers’ health.