28 criminal cases initiated in Kazakhstan after unlawful supply of insulin to Uzbekistan

In Kazakhstan, 28 criminal cases were initiated on the case of the illegal supply of insulin to Uzbekistan. This was announced by the Minister of Healthcare of Kazakhstan Yeljan Birtanov, the IIA “Kazinform” reports.

Insulin injector-pens, intended for people receiving medications for free guaranteed assistance in Kazakhstan, illegally entered the market of Uzbekistan in 2018. Their prices in Tashkent pharmacies were lower than wholesale prices in Kazakhstan. The Ministry of Healthcare of Kazakhstan said that “they could not be there being legally marked in Kazakh”.

“On the case of Kazakhstani insulin, which was discovered in Uzbekistan, we have initiated an investigation. Now the source of this insulin is found, investigative actions are underway. Unfortunately, we cannot voice it. According to our information, law enforcement agencies are already prosecuting the case,” Yeljan Birtanov said at a press conference.

The Minister assured that in 2018, a total analysis was conducted on this issue.

“They identified problems and transferred them to law enforcement agencies last spring. These facts have recently been inspected in cooperation with law enforcement agencies and the Prosecutor General’s Office. About 28 criminal cases have been initiated. Law enforcement agencies will report the details themselves,” he noted.

According to the Minister of Healthcare, the second cycle of inspections has already begun.

“At present, we are conducting the second cycle of checks in specialized dispensaries, drug treatment, psychiatric and tuberculosis, in HIV centers. Facts irrationally planned have already been discovered. All this allows us to reveal the digitalization of services. We will further continue this work,” Minister Birtanov concluded.