Kazakh PM gives Health Ministry three months to finalize major pharmaceutical investment deals

Tengrinews.kz – Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has announced significant changes to Kazakhstan’s medicine procurement system and set a three-month deadline for the Health Ministry to complete key investment agreements.

Speaking at a government meeting, Bektenov said Kazakhstan is intensifying efforts to attract investment into its pharmaceutical sector. Nine projects for the production of medicines and medical devices are currently under development.

“To stimulate investment inflow into domestic pharmaceuticals, investment agreements are being prepared. I instruct the Health Ministry and relevant state bodies to finalize all organizational work and ensure the signing of these agreements within three months,” he said.

Bektenov highlighted that the newly introduced digital pricing system has unified rules for all market participants. Lower procurement prices this year have saved the state more than 36 billion tenge — funds that will be redirected toward expanding access to medicines for the population.

He acknowledged concerns among market players about price cuts but stressed that public interest comes first.

“Producers and suppliers may not like reduced procurement prices, but our priority is the well-being of citizens. Medicines will be purchased at fair prices,” Bektenov said.

The prime minister also addressed domestic pharmaceutical companies, affirming that government support will continue — but only for those operating transparently.

“State support will be provided exclusively to honest market participants who supply quality medical products and do not artificially inflate prices,” he added.