Uzbekistan may increase liability for selling over-the-counter drugs

Uzbekistan may increase liability for selling over-the-counter drugs

Alisher Kadyrov, chairman of the Milliy Tiklanish party, said that in the pharmaceutical business in the country, patients' health has become a source of income. Therefore, a proposal is being prepared to further tighten the procedure for selling over-the-counter drugs. "Because for some "unscrupulous citizens" who have turned people's need for health into a source of income (sincere respect to our pharmacists, doctors and entrepreneurs who do their job honestly), there is a need to be able to sell drugs in pharmacies without obstacles, regardless of whether they are legal or illegal, effective or ineffective. It is up to the doctor to decide what medicine to take, not you. We are preparing a proposal to further strengthen responsibility for over-the-counter sales," Kadyrov said.

According to current legislation, a fine of up to 2-4 million soums is established for selling drugs containing potent substances without a prescription. Earlier, it was announced that from December 10, 2025, in Tashkent and 15 districts (cities), a procedure for dispensing medicines only on the basis of electronic prescriptions has been introduced.

From December 12, the DMED electronic prescription system will be launched in Uzbekistan. It was announced that now all prescription medicines will be sold only on the basis of digital prescriptions. The Ministry of Health also announced a list of medicines that can be dispensed without a prescription, saying that “no one will be left without necessary medicines.