Kazakhstani patients will be able to continue receiving free drugs for the treatment of diabetes and multiple sclerosis in the near future. A single distributor concluded contracts for the supply of Insulin glargine and test strips for determining the blood glucose level required for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, as well as the interferon beta-1b preparation for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The first supplies of medicines to hospitals will begin in August.

Preparations for diagnosis and treatment of diabetes mellitus were purchased due to a change in the maximum purchase price for them. According to Maxim Kasatkin, Chairman of the Board of the Single Distributor for the purchase of medicines free of charge for the population of SK-Pharmaceuticals, Maxim Kasatkin, the prices for these drugs remained unchanged, and after the exchange rate jumps and the growth of inflation indicators, this year it became unprofitable for producers to take part in tender procedures for such drugs conditions. "A single distributor has repeatedly announced a tender for the purchase of these drugs since last summer. But, unfortunately, none of the suppliers did not apply. Therefore, until recently, we have not been able to purchase these medicines and provide our patients, "explained the Chairman of the Board of SK- Pharmaceuticals.

"Given the social significance of these diseases, the order of May 11, 2017g. The Ministry of Health decided to change the maximum purchase prices for these drugs in order to provide the people with much-needed medicines for them, "Maxim Kasatkin added.

The increase in the purchase price allowed a single distributor to safely conduct all tender procedures and organize the start of drug supplies to hospitals in August.

According to the head of the Single Distributor, in order to ensure the continuity of the medical supply, the legislation allows purchasing a two-month volume of medicines at the local level. Therefore, from the moment of changes in the prices for drugs in May until the resumption of supplies by the Single distributor, the volumes of medicines necessary for the treatment of patients were purchased by the regional health departments.

Now patients with diabetes who receive treatment under the state-guaranteed amount of free medical care will begin to receive their prescribed test strips and purchased long-acting insulin glargine - Lantus® through a unified distribution system in the near future. And for patients with multiple sclerosis, Betaferon will soon be delivered to hospitals. Until the end of the year, more than 400,000 syringes with insulin glargine and about 30,000 bottles of beta- feron are planned to be delivered to the country's hospitals.

Recall, on May 31, 2017, the Diabetes Association of the Republic of Kazakhstan (DARK) held a press conference dedicated to the problem of the supply of insulin glargine to diabetic patients in the framework of the state guaranteed volume of free medical care. By the time of the press conference, a single distributor has already announced a tender for the purchase of the drug at a revised price.