The implementation of a medicines database has been completed in Kyrgyzstan. Nuradin Karataev, head of the Department of Medicines and Medical Products, told journalists.
According to him, the database primarily helps combat smuggling. All medicines imported into the country through this system are automatically recognized as legal.
The system also makes it possible to track the full lifecycle of medicines — from importation and registration to the end consumer.
«In 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, we had no tool for automatically calculating medicine stocks. The database we have created now provides clear and up-to-date statistics. We can see in advance which medicines are running low and warn suppliers accordingly,» Nuradin Karataev said.
At present, the database contains information on more than 110 million packages of medicines, of which about 36 million packages have been written off (sold).
When asked by 24.kg news agency what share of medicines on the market had been imported illegally, he did not give a definitive answer.
«Based on 2023 data, the figure was approximately 40–45 percent. This indicator is declining with the introduction of new programs. Every year, legal turnover increases by about 2 billion soms,» Nuradin Karataev explained, adding that medicines imported at a value below 100 soms are currently not tracked. These products are expected to be included in the system starting next year.
The department representative acknowledged that shortages of certain medicines exist and have always been present.
«The country is small and the market is limited, so many manufacturers are not interested in supplying medicines to us. That is why the state enterprise Kyrgyzfarmatsiya was established — to work directly with suppliers and eliminate shortages in hospitals. Each year, we receive medicines worth around 30–35 billion soms. That is roughly the annual budget of a mid-sized pharmaceutical plant in Europe,» he said.
Karataev also reminded that the mobile app Dary-Darmek is available for the public to verify the registration and availability of medicines.
«For a medicine to be sold in pharmacies across the country, two conditions must be met: registration in Kyrgyzstan and a quality certificate. This is handled by the department. We have a laboratory that tests every batch for safety and quality. Only after that do medicines reach pharmacies,» he concluded.
