A meeting took place in Astana between Ministry of healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Azhar Giniyat, and the leadership of the British-Swedish company AstraZeneca. During the event, the parties signed a roadmap for the implementation of a project for contract manufacturing of original pharmaceuticals on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Currently, the localization of production for four medications is planned. The project will be implemented with the support of "NC "KAZAKH INVEST" JSC, DKNews.kz reports.
The document was signed during the visit of the Minister for Europe of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Leo Docherty, to Astana.
The roadmap will be the next step in the project to localize patented pharmaceuticals on domestic production sites. The joint project aims to enhance strategic partnership, scientific, and human resource potential for the pharmaceutical and medical industry of Kazakhstan.
Ministry of healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Azhar Giniyat, highlighted the significance of the project, considering the directive from the Head of State, K.K. Tokayev, to increase the share of domestically produced medicines in the domestic market to 50%.
"The signing of the roadmap is an important event for the development of the pharmaceutical industry in Kazakhstan. Thanks to this project, Kazakhs will have access to innovative AstraZeneca drugs at affordable prices. We also expect that the project will contribute to the enhancement of scientific and human resource potential for the pharmaceutical and medical industry of Kazakhstan" Azhar Giniyat
Maria Shipuleva, the Country Director of AstraZeneca in Kazakhstan, pointed out that the signed roadmap is just one of the steps needed to establish a strong and sustainable pharmaceutical sector in Kazakhstan.
"The signing of this document is undoubtedly a significant event that will lay the foundation for future development of our strategic partnership. As of today, we have already signed two memorandums with the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan on cooperation and localization of production in Kazakhstan. The signing of the roadmap confirms our commitment to the obligations and sets the trajectory for further actions in developing local production of AstraZeneca medications and ensuring their accessibility for Kazakh patients" Maria Shipuleva
Dinara Issabekova, Head of Projects at the Investment Task Force Division of "NC "KAZAKH INVEST" JSC, noted that the national company has been in negotiations with AstraZeneca since 2021, emphasizing that the entry of one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies is a landmark event for the overall development of the industry. According to her, the implementation of the project will give a new impetus and elevate the pharmaceutical industry of Kazakhstan to a qualitatively new level.
