NOVO-OGAREVO, January 24. /TASS/. Speaking with Cabinet members on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted a random audit that pointed to a dearth of certain drugs in Russian pharmacies and high prices on these items.

"Prices have risen recently and there has been some shortfall of certain medicines, despite the fact that we are seeing an increase in the production of pharmaceutical products," the head of state said. "It stood at about 22% in the first three quarters of last year and there are 60% of domestically-manufactured drugs on our market already. Nevertheless, a deficit has emerged among certain pharmaceuticals and prices went up," Putin noted.

Putin explained that these conclusions were made based on the findings of a random audit conducted at pharmacy chains.