Kazakhstan has launched the registration process for more than 112 medicinal products that were not previously registered in the country. The list includes medicines for the treatment of serious and rare diseases, El.kz reports citing the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The new mechanism was outlined by Minister of Health Akmaral Alnazarova during a government briefing. As of 2026, the state is authorised to initiate the registration of medicines it considers necessary, even if the manufacturer has not submitted an application to enter the Kazakhstani market.
Previously, the registration process depended on pharmaceutical companies. For some manufacturers, entering a relatively small market was not economically viable, resulting in difficulties in ensuring access to essential treatment for patients with rare diseases.
According to Nurlibek Assylbekov, Chairman of the Management Board of SK-Pharmacy, the initiative covers medicines that could not previously be procured due to the absence of national registration. In particular, the single distributor is holding discussions with the manufacturer on the registration of Mesna, a medicine used to protect the urinary tract against the toxic effects of certain anticancer drugs.
Other categories of medicines included in the initiative are immunoglobulins and antiepileptic drugs. Their specific brand names were not disclosed during the briefing.
Last year, difficulties in procuring immunoglobulins prompted SK-Pharmacy to seek alternative supply options. The new procedure is expected to help mitigate the risk of medicine shortages. However, the commencement of the registration process does not mean that the medicines are already available in hospitals and pharmacies.
Following the submission of the required documentation, the medicines must undergo quality assessment and the applicable registration procedures. The Ministry of Health has not yet announced a timeline for completing the process for the entire list. The subsequent availability of the medicines will also depend on procurement arrangements and supply logistics.
Access to medicines remains an issue raised by patients and subject to monitoring of supplies at the local level. Expanding the range of registered medicinal products is expected to provide procurement entities with greater flexibility in ensuring access to prescribed treatment.
