ST. PETERSBURG, June 15. /TASS/. The supplies of medicines and individual protective gear that can be used in case of a smallpox outbreak are sufficient in Russia, First Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Vasily Osmakov told journalists on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

"We held a revision in May and there are supplies of everything - basic antibiotics, the means of individual protection, vaccines, and so on," he said in response to a question on the matter.

Earlier, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said that currently there is no need to conduct mass inoculation against smallpox in Russia. He noted that Russia has a potent laboratory foundation which allows to swiftly identify viruses, including monkeypox. Additionally, there are technological platforms for the development of pharmaceutical and vaccine products which help in adapting various vaccines within a short time.

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, organized by the Roscongress Foundation, is taking place on June 15-18. The topic of this year’s forum is New Opportunities in a New World. The event will particularly include SME and creative business forums, the Drug Security Forum, the SPIEF Junior Dialogue and the SPIEF Sport Week. TASS is the forum’s information partner and photo hosting agency.