Mandatory labeling of medicines will be introduced in Kazakhstan from next year

Astana. August 21st. KAZAKHSTAN TODAY - From July 1, 2024, it is planned to introduce labeling for all medicines in Kazakhstan, which will reduce the volume of counterfeit products and eliminate illegal sales of medicines, the press service of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

The purpose of digital labeling is to eradicate the shadow pharmaceutical market through digital traceability technologies. This is a kind of Track&Trace systems, which is used all over the world to ensure the transparency of trade. This system has already been successfully implemented in Russia, the USA, India, Turkey, South Korea, China, Italy, Argentina," the ministry explained.

Also, the marking will allow Kazakhstanis to find out the expiration date of the medicine and the compliance of its cost with the maximum approved price established by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

According to experts, labeling and traceability should also improve the situation with the supply and provision of medicines, thereby preventing their possible shortage, as was observed during the pandemic.

The first stage of digital labeling of medicines for 90 items was introduced from July 1, 2022.

From July 1, 2024, 100% introduction of drug labeling is planned.

Since August 14, the Ministry of Health, together with the Republican Center for e-Health and a single operator for labeling and traceability of goods, has been holding explanatory seminars on working with labeled medicines for regional medical institutions in Kazakhstan.

The first participants of the seminars were representatives of medical institutions of Akmola, Aktobe, Almaty, Atyrau, East Kazakhstan, Zhambyl, Karaganda, Kostanay, East Kazakhstan, West Kazakhstan and Mangystau regions. Over 480 representatives of local executive health authorities, cities of republican significance and the capital took part in the meetings.

During the seminars, representatives of the Republican Center for e-Health will present the developed schemes for the work of hospital organizations with labeled medicines. Representatives of the Single Operator for Labeling and Traceability of Goods explain the features of the system of labeling and traceability of medicines, informing about the necessary equipment for working with labeled medicines.

Earlier it was reported that in terms of rising prices for medicines, Kazakhstan occupies a leading position among the EAEU countries. The reason for such disparity in the Union's single pharmaceutical market is the different methods of state price regulation in the Commonwealth countries.