Measures to eradicate corruption in the healthcare system were discussed in Astana during an international scientific and practical conference on "Modern mechanisms of combating corruption in health care: trends and prospects for development".

Executive secretary of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan Bolat Tokejanov, Deputy Chairman of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Civil Service and Anti-Corruption Affairs Alik Shpekbayev, Head of the Public Procurement Department of the Social Services Agency of Georgia Besik Datukishvili, Chairman of the Presidium of the Political Council took part in the discussion at the National Science Center for Motherhood and Childhood "National Social-Democratic Party" Zauresh Battalova, representative of the party "Nur-Otan" and "Atameken", the chairman of the board of the single distributor for the purchase of medicines and medical products of LLP "SK-Pharmaceuticals" Maxim Kasatkin, etc. According to the participants of the conference, modern anti-corruption policy should solve the problem of minimizing corruption-related factors at the level of regulatory regulation. It is necessary to build work mechanisms in such a way as to exclude in principle the possibility of manifestation of corruption risks in business processes.

During the conference, issues of public health were discussed that are subject to the greatest risks of corruption-relatedness: such as the purchase of medicines and medical products, in particular, the mechanisms for improving this process, the introduction of international standards; The experience of foreign countries and Kazakhstan in reducing corruption risks in the process of selecting providers of medical services.

The main mechanisms for countering corruption in the health care system were also discussed: the electronic system of public procurement, and the automation of health care in the field of stationary, inpatient and outpatient services.

According to Besika Datukishvili, Head of the Department of Public Procurement of the Social Services Agency of the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Protection of Georgia, the main mechanism for counteracting corruption in the field of health care is the introduction of electronic procurement in the field of drug provision.

Maxim Kasatkin, Chairman of the Board of SK-Pharmaceuticals, spoke about the introduction of an electronic format for the procurement of medicines and medical products through a single distribution system in Kazakhstan. According to him, the transition to an electronic format in purchases of a single distributor is planned for early next year, and all other organizations that purchase drugs to provide the state-guaranteed free volume of medical assistance - from June 1, 2018.

"The advantages of this format of procurement are obvious. This is an increase in the transparency and openness of the procurement process, and simplification of procedures and reduction of administrative barriers, and a decrease in the corruption-related nature of purchases due to a lack of personal contact with bidders, "explained Maxim Kasatkin.

The head of SK-Pharmaceuticals also said that initially procurement procedures through the single distribution system were developed taking into account the prevention of the prerequisites of corruption. "For example, the Single Distributor applies such a method of procurement as two-stage tendering procedures when, at the first stage, applicants are given the opportunity to make changes to tenders in accordance with the comments made by the tender commission, and in the second stage all admitted companies participate in the auction to lower the purchase price. This approach initially minimizes the possibility of bias in the decision of the tender commission, "said Maxim Kasatkin.

He also added that to ensure transparency of procurement, prevention and prevention of corruption, as well as the possibility of public control, a video recording of all tender procedures is conducted. In order to prepare an objective assessment, determine the conformity of the drugs offered for purchase to all requirements, clinical efficacy and safety of drugs, an independent expert commission is involved. The company has adopted an anti-corruption policy, adopted the necessary documents that regulate the internal activities of the company, and implements the standards of the Quality Management System.

It should be noted that the participants of the conference came to a common opinion that the issues of combating corruption in the healthcare system, and in particular in the procurement of medicines and medical products, should be solved systematically. Anti-corruption measures in this area can be divided into 3 main components: the formation of prices, clinical protocols, volumes of drugs and medical devices; procurement procedures; and targeted use. And their implementation will significantly reduce corruption risks, improve the quality and efficiency of providing the country's population with medical products, develop domestic pharmaceutical production, and contribute to the implementation of key tasks of the state's strategic documents.