Abstract: The study of educational, monographic, and other specialized literature testifies ti the fact that questions of imposition of penalty for committing an offence stipulated by the Article 235 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation have not been comprehensively examined. This article analyzes the practice of imposition of penalty under the Article 235 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The object of this research is the social relations arising in the context of imposition of penalty for unlawful practice of medical and pharmaceutical activity. The subject of this research is the sanction of the Article 235 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The author considers the coercive measures applied to persons found guilty of committing an offence under the Article 235 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The acquired results contain scientific novelty and practical significance, and can be used for improving the criminal law. The author determines the following relevant issues associated with imposition of penalty under the Article 235 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation: high instance of inflicting a fine as a form of punishment; absence of practice of imposition of punishment in form of restriction of freedom or forfeiture to hold certain posts or carry out particular activity. The makes recommendations for improving the sanction of the Article 235 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, taking into consideration the analysis of the legislation of CIS countries and domestic law enforcement practice.