MPs question Health Minister over inefficient spending on medicines

The issue was raised during a “Government Hour” session in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, where financial transparency and efficiency in the healthcare sector were under discussion.

The meeting was initiated by the “Adolat” Social Democratic Party faction. Its representative, Zuhriddin Mavlonov, criticized the inefficient use of state budget funds, raising concerns about suspicious practices in how the allocated healthcare budget is being spent. He posed a pointed question to the Health Minister.

According to Mavlonov, a study was conducted on the availability of essential medicines and medical supplies in healthcare institutions across almost all regions of the republic, including Tashkent city and the Republic of Karakalpakstan. The investigation revealed that some clinics had purchased medications with extremely short shelf lives, while in other cases, medicines included in the guaranteed package were not procured at all.

“For instance, at Family Polyclinic No. 34 in the Chilanzar district of Tashkent, only 15 out of 27 types of medications included in the guaranteed package were purchased. Of these, four were nearing expiry and were in excess of the actual need. This clearly shows that budget funds are being used inefficiently. We have raised this issue several times in our faction meetings,” the MP said.

Zuhiddin Mavlonov then asked Health Minister Asilbek Khudoyorov for an explanation regarding the misuse of budgetary funds. The Minister acknowledged the existence of systemic issues and stated that practical measures are being taken to address them.

According to Khudoyorov, medicine shelf life is categorized into three levels — 70%, 50%, and 30% remaining. The procurement process is being monitored jointly with the Prosecutor General’s Office.

“The root of the problem is, of course, linked to corruption. Many companies, unable to sell their medicines, negotiate to offload them in exchange for bribes. These medicines never reach the patients. They’re simply written off and discarded. This scheme is well-known, and we’re fighting it seriously,” said the Health Minister.

He also spoke about the implementation of the guaranteed health insurance package in regions where the insurance system is being piloted.

“We’re currently in the process of approval… Because a guaranteed package must truly be guaranteed, we studied how developed countries define it and found that many diseases are not included. We have selected the nine most common types of illnesses. We will specify how many medications must be available at outpatient family clinics for these conditions. We’ll publish this list and, if necessary, display it in the clinics so that citizens can assert their rights,” the minister explained.