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Kazakhstan Local time: 06:27 PM

Drugs and Pharmaceuticals

Overview

Overview 2006 2007 2008(estimated)
 Total Market Size 558.7 631.3  714.4 
 Total Local Production 62.4  70.5  80 
 Total Exports 12.2 13.8  15.6 
 Total Imports 508.5  574.6  650 
 Imports from the U.S. 12.3  13.9  15.7 

In USD Millions; The above statictics are unofficial estimate based on Kazakhstan customs data and industry sources.

Best Prospects and Services

The pharmaceutical market is divided almost equally into two major segments: state procurement and retail sales.

State Procurement

U.S. companies producing the following pharmaceutical products have strong prospects.

  • Vaccines and other immuno-biological medications for immuno-prophlaxis of population; 
  • Anti-tuberculosis medications;
  • Anti-diabetic medications;
  • Oncology medications;
  • Medications and dialyzers, and medical supplies for patients with renal deficiency and patients operated on for kidney transplantation.

Generally foreign suppliers participate in state funded tenders through their local distributors. 

Retail Sales

According to the statistics for 2007, the following pharmaceuticals are the best selling products on the retail market:

  • Systemic action antibiotics
  • Anticatarrhal pharmaceutical products
  • Analgesics

Opportunities

       In January 2008 the World Bank approved a $117.7 million loan for Kazakhstan’s Health Sector Technology Transfer and Institutional Reform Project. The project will help introduce international standards and build long-term institutional capacity in the Ministry of Health and related healthcare institutions in support of key health sector reforms pursued by the Government of Kazakhstan. The project includes a Pharmaceutical Policy Reform Component of $4.2 million.  It will help improve the safety, efficiency, economy, quality, and affordability of pharmaceuticals in Kazakhstan by supporting reforms in pharmaceutical procurement, pricing, monitoring, information provision, benefit package design and quality control.