On February 6, chaired by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a meeting was held to analyze the effectiveness of work on the development of the pharmaceutical industry and identify tasks for the future. This was reported by the press service of the head of state.

The meeting noted the unsatisfactory level of fulfillment of the tasks set in the field of pharmaceuticals.

Most pharmaceutical companies do not use modern technologies, no attention is paid to the production of medicinal substances, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said. Instead of switching to a full production cycle, enterprises are still engaged in the import from abroad and packaging of finished products.

It was noted at the meeting that only 12 out of 94 enterprises have an international GMP certificate (Good Manufacturing Practice), which ensures product recognition in other countries. To expand this practice, the leadership of the industry does not have enough initiative, it was said at the meeting.

The fact that most of the industry's enterprises are limited to the production of drugs of a simple formula has been criticized. The physical volume of production in the industry in 2017 increased by 34%, while the growth in value terms was only 16%.

Despite the fact that for a number of years the enterprises of Uzbekistan were provided with privileges for the production of import-substituting products, now 74% of domestic demand is covered by imports. More than half of the 6824 imported medicines can be produced in Uzbekistan, but this figure is currently only 27%. Medicines used in oncology, gynecology, dentistry are completely imported from abroad.

The state of affairs in the supply of state medical institutions with medicines and medical products remains unsatisfactory.

“The population of our country does not feel the results of the reforms being implemented at all. This is evidenced by negative reviews in the media, ”the President stressed.

Systems for identifying drug needs and a database containing specific data on this have not been created. Nothing concrete has been done about the organization of thousands of social pharmacies this year.

Nine months have passed since the adoption of the decree on the creation of seven free economic zones, but the corresponding work has not begun in any zone. Their master plans have not been approved, engineering and communication networks have not been built.

The role of research institutes is not felt in the pharmaceutical industry. Currently, on the basis of their developments, only 1.6 tons of medicinal substances of 16 names are produced using herbal raw materials. In addition, the industry lacks personnel capable of working with modern technologies.

The President noted the need to develop a set of measures to significantly increase the production of medicinal substances, expand production with a full cycle, and introduce international standards and innovative technologies into the sphere.

The task was set to take measures to prevent the artificial growth of prices for medicines on the domestic market.

The President pointed out the need to create an educational and scientific laboratory and an experimental production complex at the Tashkent Pharmaceutical Institute.

Source: "Gazeta.uz"