Demand for Mildronate up in Latvia and Russia

Demand has gone up for Midronate in Latvia and Russia. This medicine, produced by Latvian Grindeks pharmaceutical company, has been widely discussed by the world media following Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova’s last week’s announcement regarding the positive doping test result.

Demand for Grindeks’ produced Mildronate has gone up at aptieka.ru online pharmacy store, as mentioned in an article published on pharmvestnik.ru by Katren scientific production complex development director Anatoly Tentser. While previously daily demand for Mildronate did not exceed 50-60, numbers reached 1,100 on 8 March and 1,200 on 9 March, Tentser said. According to him, demand has increased 15-20 times since the beginning of March.

Demand for Mildronate has also increased in Latvia, as confirmed by Grindeks Communications Department manager Laila Klavina. She mentioned that it is unlikely that this product may become unavailable in Latvia. Grindeks has considerable reserves of Mildronate. Even if medicine is bought out in some specific pharmacy, it is usually resupplied within 12 to 24 hours, explained Klavina.

Grindeks representative also noted that Mildronate is available without prescription and with it. Doctors usually prescribe Mildronate for patients with heart condition.

Mildronate is a trademark registered with Grindeks. Meldonium is an active substance used in Mildronate. It provides pharmacological and therapeutic effect.

Grindeks notes that it is one of the largest manufacturers of meldonium-containing medicine. There are other manufacturers, of course. Meldonium, as an active substance, is produced by many international companies. It is also available for procurement on the Internet. There are many sources where it can be bought in a clean form or as part of pharmaceutical products. This is why, if a meldomium test shows a positive result, it does not always mean the person was using Mildronate. Aside from Grindeks, there are approximately ten companies, mainly in Russia and Ukraine, that produce Mildronate analogues in Russia and CIS countries.

World Anti-Doping Agency has added meldonium to the list of substances prohibited to be used in sports. Grindeks nevertheless believes meldonium should not be put on this list. Adding this substance to the list does not change the fact that it is a high-quality, safe and effective medication. Up until now it was available for everyone, even athletes, as a medicine to reduce physical and psycho-emotional stress. 

BNN/LETA

Comment