On November 3, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev was briefed on proposals to improve medical care for children with rare (orphan) diseases, as well as the progress of reforms and new projects in the pharmaceutical sector.

The country consistently implements measures to prevent hereditary and congenital diseases and to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment for children with rare (orphan) disorders.

Currently, 2,174 children with five types of orphan and hereditary genetic diseases are receiving free diagnostics, medications, and specialized therapeutic nutrition funded by the state budget.

As diagnostic quality improves, new orphan diseases are being identified, increasing the number of children in need of treatment and support.

During the presentation, information was provided on a program of measures for 2026-2030, aimed at organizing medical and social support for children with rare and other hereditary genetic diseases.

According to the program, the number of diseases eligible for state-funded treatment will increase from 5 to 10, and the age limit for coverage will be extended from 18 to 21 years.

A total of 961 billion UZS is planned to be allocated to implement the program during 2026-2030.

The Head of State signed the corresponding resolution and approved the program.

The President was also briefed on pharmaceutical product production, attracting investment, implementing projects within the Tashkent Pharma Park industrial zone, and efforts to ensure the quality and safety of medicines.

Enterprises in the sector have produced pharmaceutical products worth 5 trillion UZS, exported goods worth $172 million, and attracted $286 million in investment, including $257 million in foreign capital.

Thirty-five domestic companies have mastered the production of 205 types of medicines, and the number of export destinations has reached 55 countries. This year, 16 projects totaling $29 million were launched, creating 830 new jobs.

To ensure quality and safety, the GMP standard has been implemented at 61 enterprises, GDP at 486 distribution warehouses, and GPP at 9,450 pharmacies.

During the presentation, measures to prevent manipulation in setting reference prices for imported medicines were also discussed.

Currently, out of 7,600 types of imported medicines, 4,900 are not included in the reference price registries of benchmark countries.

According to the proposed measures, starting January 1, 2026, the average prices of 2,600 prescription medications are expected to decrease by 40-50%.

Issues related to improving mechanisms for state procurement of pharmaceutical products were also examined. To eliminate the purchase of substandard goods and prevent corruption, all procurement will be conducted through the special electronic platform farma.xarid.uz.

Once the system is launched, only manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers holding all necessary certifications (GMP, ISO:13485, GDP) will be eligible to participate in state procurement.

The volumes of state procurement, as well as registers of certified manufacturers and distributors, will be made publicly available.

The system will include an automated check to ensure that the prices of procured medications do not exceed the established reference level.

The Head of State instructed that, by January 1, 2026, a special platform be developed to determine the needs of state medical institutions for medicines and medical equipment, and to manage stock levels effectively.

The President was also briefed on the new procedure for the state registration of medicines and medical devices.

The new mechanism provides for establishing production through technology transfer, enabling foreign pharmaceutical companies to manufacture products using the facilities of local producers and to undergo state registration through an expedited process.

Conditions are being created for the introduction of new types of biotechnological cellular products into medical practice, designed to treat damaged tissues, grow individual organs, and restore bodily functions.

Clinical trials of generic drugs and the evaluation of their results will be carried out in accordance with international standards, and the registration period for such medicines will be shortened. Medical devices classified in the first safety category (excluding sterile, measuring, and invasive devices) will be exempt from laboratory and clinical testing.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev approved the proposals presented and instructed that, by the end of 2025, all 32 investment projects with a total value of $166 million be fully implemented, 1,500 new jobs be created, production and exports be increased, and prices for prescription medicines be reduced.

UzA