Uzbekistan plans fast-track imports for scarce medicines and medical equipment

Uzbekistan is preparing to introduce a fast-track mechanism to ensure the rapid import and use of medicines and medical devices during temporary shortages in the healthcare system. The proposed procedure would allow certain products to be imported and used without undergoing full state registration, provided they meet mandatory certification requirements.

Under the draft regulation, a “temporary shortage” is defined as a situation in which medicines or medical equipment are either unavailable or available only in limited quantities, making it impossible to fully meet the needs of the population and healthcare institutions.

Decisions on emergency supply measures would be taken by a permanent working group operating under the Ministry of Health. A separate special working group would determine whether the fast-track procedure should be applied in each case.

To verify claims of shortages, responsibilities would be divided between relevant agencies. The Center for Pharmaceutical Product Safety would determine whether a medicine or medical device is already registered in Uzbekistan and whether suitable substitute analogues exist. At the same time, the Agency for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry would assess market availability, the state of domestic production, and future supply plans.

For imports, the Center for Pharmaceutical Product Safety would be required to issue an official conclusion within three working days, stating whether there are grounds to raise objections to the import or to allow it to proceed.

Companies seeking to import scarce medicines and medical equipment would need to hold a wholesale distribution license, employ qualified specialists capable of ensuring product quality and safety, and have adequate storage and logistics infrastructure. Importers would also be required to submit a full set of supporting documents.

All imported products would be subject to mandatory certification in line with established procedures, while their movement would be monitored through an information system using QR codes to ensure traceability.

The list of medicines and medical devices classified as scarce would be published on the official website of the Ministry of Health. Decisions on the distribution of imported products to healthcare institutions and pharmaceutical organizations would be made on an expedited basis.

Prepared by: Дониёр Тухсинов

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