Changes have been made to the Rules for the Procurement of Medicines and Medical Devices

By the Order No. 172 of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan (“Kazakhstan”) dated December 25, 2025 (“Order No. 172”) amendments have been made to the Rules for Organizing and Executing the Procurement of Medicines, Medical Devices (“MD”) and Specialized Therapeutic Products within the Framework of the Guaranteed Volume of Free Medical Care (“GVFMC”), Additional Volume of Medical Care for Persons Held in Pre-Trial Detention Facilities and Institutions of the Penal (Penitentiary) System, at the Expense of Budgetary Funds and/or in the Compulsory Social Health Insurance system (“OSHI”), Pharmaceutical Services (the “Procurement Rules”).

The amendments concern the introduction of a Register of Kazakhstani Manufacturers, as well as the regulation of procurement based on an investment agreement.

News on pharmaceutical legislation

Uzbekistan – January 2026

New rules of state registration of medicinal products and medical devices in the Republic of Uzbekistan

Significant changes have been made to the regulation of state registration of medicinal products (hereinafter - "Medicines") and medical devices (hereinafter - "MDs") in the Republic of Uzbekistan (hereinafter - "Uzbekistan") with a view to simplifying the state registration of Medicine and MD. An overview of the key changes is provided below.

The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated November 17, 2025 No. 230-VIII "On Artificial Intelligence" was adopted

The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated November 17, 2025, No. 230-VIII "On Artificial Intelligence" (the "Law") establishes the legal framework for regulating artificial intelligence ("AI") in the Republic of Kazakhstan ("Kazakhstan"), based on the principles of legality, fairness, transparency, accountability, data protection, and the priority of human well-being. The Law defines the following:

The regulatory framework governing trade activities in the Republic of Uzbekistan (hereinafter referred to as “Uzbekistan”) has undergone significant amendments designed to strengthen consumer protection mechanisms. Below is an overview of the key developments.

Telecommunications Regulatory Agency established 

On August 21, 2025, Decree No. UP-142 of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan ‘On Measures to Improve the Regulatory System in the Field of Telecommunications’ (the “Decree 142”) was adopted. The Decree was adopted in pursuance of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan ‘On Telecommunications’ dated December 27, 2024, No. ZRU-1015 (the “Telecommunications Law”) and is aimed at improving state management in the telecommunications sector through the creation of the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (the “Agency”).

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan issued Decree No. UP-137 dated August 19, 2025, "On Additional Measures for the Regulation of the Circulation of Medicines and Medical Devices".

On August 23, 2025, Presidential Decree No. UP-137 of the Republic of Uzbekistan (hereinafter referred to as the “Decree”) entered into force. The Decree introduces significant amendments to the procedures governing the circulation of medicinal products (hereinafter referred to as “Medicines”) and medical devices (hereinafter referred to as “Devices”). It substantially revises the rules for their registration and certification.  Below is our overview of the key legal changes introduced by the Decree.

The Procedure for Conducting Courier Service Activities in the field of E-commerce has been approved

On July 18, 2025, by order of the Director of the National Agency for Advanced Projects
No. 3631, the Regulation on the Procedure for Carrying out Courier Service Activities in E-commerce (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulation") was approved. The document was adopted in accordance with the Law on E-Commerce and the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Measures for the Further Development of the E-Commerce Sector in the Republic of Uzbekistan dated December 26, 2024, No. 885, which highlights the priority of digitalizing trade and enhancing e-commerce standards in the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Regulation mainly focuses on issues of transparency, safety, and adherence to sanitary standards in goods’ delivery, especially concerning the transportation of food products.

Amendments to the List of Medicines Subject to Price Regulation for Wholesale and Retail Sale

By Order of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated June 18, 2025 No. 394 ("Order No. 394"), amendments were made to the List of Medicines Subject to Price Regulation for Wholesale and Retail Sale approved by Order of the Acting Minister of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated December 1, 2022 No. KR DSM-150.

In accordance with the amendments, the number of medicines on the List Subject to Price Regulation for Wholesale and Retail Sale has been reduced from 6,060 to 5,408. Over-the-counter Medicines have been excluded from the list. Order No. 394 came into force on July 5, 2025.

Overview of Key Amendments to the Regulation of Medicine Prices in Uzbekistan

On 12 May 2025, the Minister of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan (the “Uzbekistan”) issued the Order “On Amendments and Additions to the Order ‘On Approval of the Regulation on the Procedure for Accounting Medicine Prices within the Reference Pricing System’” No. Order-3242–1 dated 12 May 2025 (the “Order No. 3242–1”).

Below is an overview of the key changes introduced to the regulation of the reference pricing for prescription medicines as set forth in the Order No. 3242–1.

New Initiatives for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry in the Republic of Uzbekistan

On January 28, 2025, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (“Uzbekistan”) signed the Decree “On Additional Measures for the Accelerated Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry” No. UP-13 (the “Decree No. 13”), which came into force on January 29, 2025.

Below is an overview of the key regulatory changes in the pharmaceutical industry introduced by the Decree No. 13. The most significant amendments include the abolition of price markup limitations on over-the-counter medicines and the imposition of a 2% customs duty on certain categories of medicines, effective April 1, 2025.