The Minister of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, Kanbek Dosmambetov, held a meeting with representatives of the pharmaceutical sector on December 23, 2025. The issues of providing healthcare organizations with necessary medications from the list of essential and necessary medicines (EEM) were discussed. This information was provided by the press service of the Ministry of Health.
During the discussion, attention was drawn to the need to eliminate the shortage of essential medicines in the short term. Some patients are currently forced to purchase medications abroad. To develop systemic solutions, a special commission was established under the Ministry of Health, tasked with preparing specific proposals to improve the situation with drug supply by December 31. It was also noted that practical measures need to be taken to supply the deficient medications in the near future.
Given the growing demand for medications from the EEM list, ensuring uninterrupted supplies requires a comprehensive approach and the unification of efforts. The Ministry of Health intends to optimize the work of the State Enterprise "Kyrgyzpharmacy" and increase funding, as well as improve procurement mechanisms.
At the same time, it was emphasized that the current market structure, in which up to 95% of medications are imported, is vulnerable. In this regard, the government is offering financial support instruments for local pharmaceutical companies, including credit programs through the State Development Bank, to localize drug production.
The Minister also touched upon the issues of drug procurement for cancer patients, emphasizing the importance of a responsible and balanced approach. Serious questions were raised during the meeting regarding some procurements in the Ministry of Health in terms of their clinical appropriateness.
He cited the example of the procurement of the oncology drug "Keytruda" (pembrolizumab) without the necessary accompanying documents, carried out by the State Enterprise "Kyrgyzpharmacy." The procurement amount was about 80 million soms, which allows for the treatment of only a limited number of patients – just six people in the fourth stage of cancer.
This approach raises questions about the appropriateness of using budget funds, as similar resources could have been directed toward the procurement of medications for treating patients in the early stages of the disease, which would allow for a larger number of people to be covered and increase the chances of recovery.
"The procurement of oncology drugs should not turn into a sphere of marketing experiments. Every decision should be evaluated in terms of how many lives it can save," the minister noted.
In this regard, the unacceptability of unethical marketing, manipulation of applications, pressure on doctors, and the substitution of clinical indications with commercial interests was stated. The tightening of responsibility for official crimes implies that any violations in the field of drug supply will receive legal assessment.
To improve control and prevent unfair practices, it was instructed to complete the implementation of the drug traceability system by the end of January. This will ensure transparent control over the movement of drugs, forecast needs, and respond promptly to risks of shortages, eliminating opaque schemes.
As part of this system, the Ministry of Health was instructed to develop a mechanism for forming a database of unscrupulous participants in the pharmaceutical market, which will include those who violate legislation and principles of ethical business conduct. Being in such a database will be grounds for limiting participation in drug supplies in Kyrgyzstan.
Summarizing the meeting, the minister noted that drug policy should be formed exclusively in the interests of the state and patients.
“The Ministry must restore order in this important area. There should be no place for private interests here. The interests of the state and patients are a priority and will determine further decisions,” concluded Kanbek Dosmambetov.
As a result of the meeting, the parties agreed to continue the dialogue and present proposals aimed at improving the accessibility of EEM, increasing the transparency of the pharmaceutical market, and protecting the interests of patients.
