Uzbekistan lowers price ceilings for 2,500 prescription medicines

According to the Agency for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry, revised reference prices have been introduced for a wide range of medicines, resulting in significant reductions across several major therapeutic categories.

Agency spokesperson Anvar Akabirov said prices for antibiotics and antimicrobial medicines have been cut by up to 50.1%. Medicines used to treat cardiovascular diseases are now up to 37% cheaper, while prices for drugs affecting the nervous system have been reduced by up to 40%. Anti-inflammatory medicines and painkillers have seen price cuts of as much as 42%.

Akabirov also warned pharmacies that medicines covered by the revised reference prices can no longer be sold under the previous price limits.

"Starting from July 1, 2026, it is no longer possible to sell these medicines at the previously established reference prices. Electronic invoices issued above the approved reference prices will be automatically monitored through the Tax Committee's information systems, and their submission will be restricted," he said.

The agency stressed that medicine prices remain subject to state regulation to prevent unjustified price increases and ensure transparency in the pharmaceutical market through the reference pricing system.

Reference prices are calculated in line with international practice. The methodology takes into account the average prices in designated reference countries, compares prices in the country where the medicine is manufactured, and considers contract prices for medicines imported into Uzbekistan over the previous 12 months.

The agency said the updated maximum prices for prescription medicines have been published on the Pharm.gov.uz website, where consumers can check the approved prices. Patients can also use the PharmUz mobile application to compare the official price ceiling with the retail price offered by pharmacies.

The revision follows plans announced a year ago by the agency's director, Abdulla Azizov, who said authorities were working to reduce reference prices for prescription medicines while removing price caps for over-the-counter drugs.

Uzbekistan imports around 80% of its medicines. Because of this, reference prices for prescription drugs are determined by comparing prices in foreign markets and setting an average benchmark. Under current regulations, pharmacies are prohibited from selling prescription medicines above the established reference price.