During the meeting, current issues regarding the provision of medical institutions with essential medicines were discussed. In the short term, the main task became the elimination of the shortage of medications that patients are forced to purchase abroad. In this regard, a commission has been established under the Ministry of Health, which is expected to present its recommendations for improving drug supply by the end of December. Specific steps for supplying the missing medications have also been planned.
Additionally, the Ministry of Health intends to enhance the work of the State Enterprise "Kyrgyzpharmacia," including through additional funding and optimization of procurement processes.
Discussing the dependence on imports, which reaches 95% in the pharmaceutical market, the participants of the meeting noted the vulnerability of the system. In response, the state decided to provide financial support to domestic pharmaceutical companies, including credit programs through the State Development Bank for the localization of drug production.
Dosmambetov also raised the issue of drug procurement for cancer patients, pointing out the questions that have arisen at the Ministry of Health regarding the clinical appropriateness of certain purchases.
An example is the procurement of the oncology drug "Keytruda" (pembrolizumab) without the necessary documents, carried out by the State Enterprise "Kyrgyzpharmacia." The total amount of this procurement was about 80 million soms, which allowed for the treatment of only six patients at the fourth stage of the disease, raising concerns about the rational use of budget funds.
The participants of the meeting emphasized that such procurements are ineffective and suggested directing resources towards acquiring medications for treating early-stage diseases, which could save more lives.
"Oncology drugs are not a place for marketing experiments. Every decision should be based on how many lives it can save," the minister stated.
In this regard, the unacceptability of unethical marketing and pressure on medical workers was emphasized, as well as the need for strict control over compliance with clinical indications. All violations in the field of drug supply will receive legal assessment.
To enhance control and prevent unscrupulous practices, the Ministry of Health has instructed to complete the implementation of a drug traceability system by the end of January 2026. This system will ensure transparent monitoring of the movement of medications from the moment of procurement to the patient, allowing for advance planning of needs and purchases, as well as prompt responses to potential shortages.
The Department of Medicines and Medical Devices has also been tasked with developing a mechanism for creating a registry of unscrupulous participants in the pharmaceutical market, which will serve as the basis for restrictions on participation in drug supplies in Kyrgyzstan.
At the end of the meeting, the minister noted that the drug policy should be formed exclusively in the interests of the state and patients, emphasizing that there is no place for private interests in the pharmaceutical market.
The parties agreed to continue discussions and present proposals aimed at improving the accessibility of essential medicines, increasing transparency in the pharmaceutical market, and protecting the interests of patients.
