On August 29, 2014, BRACE Law Firm and the Center for Regulatory Environment Studies in Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology at the Faculty of Law of the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE University) hosted a joint roundtable discussion titled "Legal Aspects of Advertising in the Russian Pharmaceutical Market."

Keynote speakers delivered analytical presentations on the following critical matters:

• Irina Zarochintseva (Pfizer) addressed "Information Asymmetry in the Pharmaceutical Market."

• Roman Shabrov (BRACE Law Firm) examined "Advertising Requirements for Medicines and Dietary Supplements: Interpretative Challenges."

• Nelli Ignatieva (Russian Association of Pharmacy Chains) discussed "Advertising of Medicines, Dietary Supplements, and Medical Devices: Pros and Cons."

• Dmitry Mazaev (HSE University) analyzed "Legal Consequences of Disseminating False Advertising and Misleading Information Regarding Medicinal Products for Medical Use."

The panel of expert discussants included:

• Tatyana Nikitina (Directorate for Advertising Control and Unfair Competition of the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia);

• Oleg Feofilaktov (Pharmacy Business Magazine);

• Elena Kolosova (Sanofi-aventis groupe).

Following the briefings, participants engaged in a comprehensive plenary debate exploring the evolving enforcement landscape and regulatory requirements surrounding pharmaceutical advertising. The session brought together senior stakeholders from the pharmaceutical industry, academia, state regulatory authorities, specialized legal and advisory consultancies, and leading industry media.