The Russian market has lost two more prominent players - the Japanese clothing brand Uniqlo and the American pharmaceutical company MSD. These decisions reflect changes in the business environment and the state of global relations.

Uniqlo, a Japanese brand that produces high-quality clothing, has withdrawn from the Russian market. The company has stopped renting premises for its stores, as reported by representatives of shopping centers. In addition, Uniqlo's latest financial report for the third quarter indicates a "complete closure of the business" in Russia.

Uniqlo is known for its quality and technological solutions in the clothing industry. However, despite these advantages, the company has not been able to successfully introduce its products in the Russian market, as well as in the markets of other countries.

The company is breaking all lease contracts, imposing penalties, dismissing all staff with 11 salaries, and relocating Japanese managers to other countries.

The American pharmaceutical company MSD, which was one of the suppliers of the most popular hepatitis C drug, zepatir, also warned of stopping supplies to Russia. In 2022, the share of this drug in treatment regimens paid for by the state in the Russian Federation was 19%, and in the first half of 2023 - 18%.

Zepatir has a patent until 2030, and there are currently no analogs of this drug in Russia.

The company, in accordance with the law, announced that it would stop importing the drug for a year, but supplies until 2024 will remain relevant. It is worth noting that MSD has also stopped supplying vaccines against chickenpox, measles, rubella and mumps, as well as the HIV drug raltegravir.