The Ministry of Health has issued a clarification regarding the misinterpretation of the words of its leader, which appeared in some media outlets.
The department emphasized that the interview did not address the issue of closing pharmacies as a goal or means of regulation.
Minister Erkin Checheybaev highlighted issues of public safety and the fight against self-medication.
“Some publications misinterpreted the words of the Minister of Health by taking them out of context. The discussion did not concern the closure of pharmacies as a goal or tool. The main focus was on an important problem evidenced by research and international experience: the high costs of medications for citizens, the prevalence of self-medication, and unrestricted access to antibiotics without consulting a doctor,” the official statement said.
The Minister noted the need to implement modern regulatory methods in the field of drug circulation, such as prescription dispensing, quality control of medications, restrictions on aggressive advertising, and creating conditions that prevent unreasonable consumption of drugs. These measures are already actively applied in various countries and aim to protect public health and prevent the rise of antibiotic resistance, which the World Health Organization considers one of the most serious threats to global health.
Any potential changes in this area will be implemented gradually and with consideration of the opinions of experts, the pharmaceutical industry, businesses, and the interests of citizens. The proposed measures are not aimed at restricting access to essential medicines but at organizing the market and enhancing patient safety.
The Ministry of Health will continue to support an open dialogue with the professional community, the pharmaceutical sector, and the public to achieve a balance between the accessibility of medications, the safety of citizens, and international standards for their rational use.
