Frequent internet outages are preventing pharmacies and stores in remote regions from selling medicines, dietary supplements, and beverages. The offline module for checking marked goods only functions for three days, after which the system blocks sales. Businesses report losing revenue, particularly during heatwaves when they cannot even sell water to customers.
Disruptions in mobile internet service have complicated the sale of medicines and non-alcoholic beverages. This is particularly true in remote settlements lacking wired internet, where mobile connection problems can persist for weeks. Businesses complain they cannot sell marked products that require verification at the point of sale.
Selling medicines, supplements, mineral water, and baby water necessitates scanning the «Chestny Znak» (Honest Mark) code on the packaging. When internet is available, pharmacies perform this check online. An offline module is available for situations without internet, which can be downloaded and integrated into cash register software. However, a crucial issue arises for pharmacies in remote areas with no wired internet, especially with mobile internet frequently being shut off recently due to security measures. For instance, mobile internet issues have lasted two weeks in Nizhny Novgorod and three weeks in Tula. Pharmacy representatives state that the offline module, which allows scanning markings without internet, only works for three days.
Olga Khrutskaya
Chairwoman of the Board, Novgorod Professional Association of Pharmaceutical WorkersIn one settlement, our internet was down for almost two weeks. If the internet is off for more than three days, the «Chestny Znak» information doesn`t update, preventing even the offline module from verifying that products meet requirements and can be sold. We have these modules everywhere: we check online when internet works, and offline when it doesn`t. If the internet is down for more than three days and the information in the offline module hasn`t updated, we cannot sell medicines, medical devices, or supplements from that point on; they fail the check. The cash register is blocked, sales are impossible. We have to wait for the internet to turn back on. If it reappears after a week or two, only then can we resume operations.
The problems aren`t limited to pharmacies. Dmitry, manager of the «Lubytino Khutor» country club in the Novgorod region, says mobile internet issues cause difficulties selling non-alcoholic beverages like juices, which are also marked.
— The problem is updating: we can`t update on time. Due to the lack of mobile internet, it`s impossible to mark goods as sold. This mainly affects beverages, all non-alcoholic products.
— How are you solving this problem?
— We can`t solve it at all because there`s no feedback, nothing works. We just have to stop selling.
— Pharmacies mentioned that when internet is available, the database updates hourly. Then, if it disappears, it lasts for three more days, and after that, nothing scans through. How is it for you?
— It`s the same. Everyone has the same problem. Everything freezes: you want to sell, you scan, but it doesn`t scan, the QR code doesn`t work. A person says they are thirsty, and we can`t even sell water. It`s hot outside, and there`s no other way to mark it as sold.
Business FM contacted «Chestny Znak» for a comment. Revaz Yusupov, Deputy CEO of the Center for Development of Advanced Technologies (operator of the marking system), explained that pharmacies are not yet obligated to install the local module; this requirement will only take effect on September 1st. So what should be done if there`s no mobile internet?
Revaz Yusupov
Deputy CEO, Center for Development of Advanced TechnologiesUntil that time, pharmacies can sell medicines without internet access and without switching to offline verification. This will not be considered a violation. Pharmacies and stores scan and submit information to the system. If there`s no connection, the data will be sent to the system when the internet becomes available. The main thing is to configure everything correctly. Yesterday, we contacted all the mentioned pharmacies, set up the correct configurations, and they resumed normal operations.
It seems the main solution is to implement wired internet access. However, extending fiber optics to all remote settlements is difficult, and pharmacies, like other businesses, exist there as well.
