Pharmaceutical Agency moves to cut inflated prices of thousands of medicines

According to Azizov, 35 percent of the 7,566 imported medicines, that is, 2,620 items, have had their prices artificially increased.

“Their average prices were raised sharply, by 41–60 percent. Our goal is to reduce the prices of these 2,624 inflated medicines. We held multiple meetings and appeals with all distributors. As a result, on December 5, new reference prices were published, and the reference prices for 1,970 medicines were lowered. By reducing or strictly controlling reference prices, we aim to eliminate pharmaceuticals affected by corrupt practices in Uzbekistan. We are now revising the regulation governing the formation of reference prices. After that, we will witness price reductions for more than 3,000–4,000 medicines,” Azizov said.

He added that one of the major problems in the sector is the import of the same medicine under dozens of names.

“For example, 82 versions of the medicine ‘Levofloxacin’ have been imported into our country. In other countries, such as Russia, the ‘20+1’ rule applies, meaning up to 20 versions of one medicine can be imported under a single name. But here I can import my ‘Levofloxacin’ under a new brand name like ‘Abdulla’. Once it enters the country, I can tell doctors to prescribe it under that name. Patients then struggle to find this medicine because it is sold only in specific pharmacies. First, this wastes patients’ time. Second, the price is artificially inflated – in some cases by up to tenfold. Third, the question of quality arises. To prevent this, we are reviewing reference prices and reexamining all prescription medicines,” Azizov said.

About the electronic prescription system

Uzbekistan has introduced a system requiring medicines to be dispensed through electronic prescriptions. Under the regulation, starting December 10, 2025, all medical institutions in Tashkent and in 15 districts and cities participating in the pilot program (listed in the table) will issue prescriptions electronically, using the medicine’s international nonproprietary name (where available).

Information about the prescribed medicines, including the international nonproprietary or original name, daily dosage, method of administration, quantity, and duration, is entered into the electronic prescription directly by the physician and validated through electronic confirmation methods.

An electronic prescription may include up to five medicines for one or multiple diagnoses. If more than five medicines are required, the physician must justify the additional items in accordance with existing diagnostic and treatment standards.

Currently, 1,846 types of over-the-counter medicines are registered in Uzbekistan, and the linked table provides a list of those most commonly used in medical practice.

The Ministry of Health explained that the primary goals of introducing the “Electronic Prescription” system are to improve treatment safety, protect patient health, strengthen physicians’ responsibility in prescribing medicines, regulate the prescription process, ensure digital accounting in the healthcare system, and reduce the risks associated with counterfeit or improperly used medicines.

Uzbek law establishes liability for pharmacy employees who dispense prescription medicines without a prescription.