Pharmaceutical distributor Protek has initiated bankruptcy proceedings against Pharmacy Chain 36.6 in an attempt to recover debts owed by the retail giant.

On August 4 Protek filed papers with the Arbitration Court of Nizhny Novgorod recognising the debtor TDE Pharmacy - part of the Pharmacy Chain 36.6 network - as insolvent. Protek has also declared its intention to file further bankruptcy orders against other Pharmacy Chain 36.6 divisions, in order to regain $9.6m (£5.9m).

Protek claims to have initiated proceedings after it tried negotiating with the retail chain with limited success.