The government on Monday issued a decree to make it easier for seriously ill patients to get access to painkillers, a move prompted by the suicide of a Navy admiral who left behind a note blaming his plight on state authorities.
The Health Ministry together with several other ministries and scientific bodies have until July 22 to draw up documentation simplifying the process of obtaining restricted medicine, according to the , published Monday on the government's website.
The government also instructed the relevant bodies to organize courses aimed at teaching doctors how to administer pain-relief techniques to seriously ill patients.
Russia's government runs a tight anti-drugs policy, meaning that even terminally ill patients have to fill out a wide range of documents before they can get painkillers.
In February, terminal cancer sufferer Rear Admiral Vyacheslav Apanasenko committed suicide after his family was unable to obtain painkillers for him, leading to an investigation.
"I ask you not to blame anyone except the Health Ministry and the government. I am ready to suffer myself, but witnessing the suffering of my relatives and loved ones is unbearable," Apanasenko said in his suicide letter.
In March, eight patients committed suicide in Moscow after failing to obtain pain-restricting drugs, Lenta.ru reported.
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev last month signed a decree simplifying the use of restricted drugs for medicinal purposes, while maintaining control over their circulation.
Read more:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
