In an investigation of local drug distributors, Russian police visited Novartis and Teva facilities. The companies are suspected of no wrongdoing. The investigation targets a carve-up by distributors of the market for supplying the state healthcare system with essential drugs, says Reuters.

The government runs a system of subsidized purchases of drugs for low-income citizens. An investigation into the system showed the bulk of state supply contracts, worth more than $2 billion, went to six distribution firms between 2006 and 2008.

Both of the drugmakers are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in the Russian market.

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