The researchers, in series of articles, analyze significance of the default of 1998 for both pharmaceutical industry and participants of pharmaceutical market. The Report I presents results of investigation of corresponding economic and social aspects of issue. The article presents contradictions in tax and financial policies of then ruling authorities; regulatory drawbacks created by inefficient awareness of economic situation and social specificity of pharmaceutics; means for pharmaceutical companies to survive in these conditions.
Keywords: Post-Soviet Russia; history of pharmacy; pharmaceutical market.