Medicine prices in Kazakhstan may drop: recalculation has begun

Tengrinews.kz – A price recalculation for certain medications has begun in Kazakhstan. Due to changes in the pricing model, drug costs are expected to decrease both for the public under state programs and on wholesale and retail markets. This was announced by Deputy Minister of Healthcare Yerzhan Nurlybayev.

"The pricing model for medicines has been changed. A number of markups on the maximum price, which we considered unjustified, have been removed," Nurlybayev stated at a press briefing.

According to the official, marketing, transportation, customs, and other surcharges have been excluded. Now only one markup is used — on the manufacturer’s factory price.

"Today, the only markup is on the manufacturer’s price. Considering that this model has already been tested, all medicines registered in Kazakhstan will be recalculated by July 1," he noted.

The deputy minister added that active collaboration with the pharmaceutical community is currently underway to test the new model.

"We anticipate a price reduction of around 19 percent for medicines under the guaranteed volume of free medical care and mandatory social health insurance, and about 30 percent in wholesale and retail segments," said Yerzhan Nurlybayev.