Healthcare - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 257

Pharmaceuticals

Uzbekistan’s Pharmaceutical Market in 2025: Rapid Growth, Foreign Investment, and Localization

Uzbekistan’s pharmaceutical sector is experiencing explosive growth in 2025. According to the analytics firm IQVIA, in September 2025, the market volume reached $204.9 million (wholesale) with 83.1 million packages of medicines sold. This is 36.4% higher in value terms and 24.1% higher in volume than a year earlier, indicating a recovery in consumer demand and a robust post-pandemic market rebound. The total annual market volume (MAT, the twelve months to September 2025) is estimated at $2.14 billion, whereas in 2018 it was about $0.888 billion. Thus, the average annual growth rate over 2018–2025 exceeded 13.4%, with acceleration in 2024–2025. As a result, the country’s pharma market has entered a phase of accelerated development, laying the foundation for further expansion in 2026. Market Structure: Price Segments, Import Dependence, and Prescription Shift to premium segments. The structure of pharmaceutical consumption in Uzbekistan is shifting towards more expensive medications. The share of the cheapest drugs (priced up to $1 per package) is shrinking, whereas the $1–5 and $5–10 segments are growing. At the same time, the niche of drugs priced above $10 is strengthening, reflecting a shift of part of consumer demand toward branded original medicines and complex therapies. This trend indicates qualitative market development: whereas previously inexpensive generics dominated, now an increasing share of revenue comes from innovative and imported products. Imports and local production. Despite localization efforts, the market remains import-dependent – around 90% of sales by value are generated by foreign drugs, with a slight trend toward imports further expanding their share. As of MAT/09/2025, imported medicines have raised their value share from 87% in 2018 to 89%. Nonetheless, in volume terms, the share of local manufacturers has inched up from 40% to 41.2% thanks to the production of affordable generics. Local companies are increasing their presence in the low-price segment by competing on cost. The government is encouraging localization of production, offering incentives (for example, tax and customs benefits in pharmaceutical free economic zones) and reserving 20% of state procurements for domestic companies’ products. These measures have already led a number of foreign companies to begin setting up manufacturing in Uzbekistan. Market Leaders: Companies and Brands Uzbekistan’s pharmaceutical market is highly fragmented – the combined share of even the largest players is relatively small. According to IQVIA for MAT/09/2025, the top three companies by sales value are Slovenia’s KRKA, Turkey’s World Medicine, and Ukraine’s Farmak. These companies together control about 9.9% of the market, which indicates intense competition and a market crowded with numerous brands and manufacturers. Notably, the top ten manufacturers have collectively increased their share since 2018 from 24% to 27%. Among local manufacturers, the Uzbek company Nika Pharm stands out with roughly a 2.5% share, rising from 32nd position in 2018 to 7th in 2025 with a +40.4% increase in sales (in value terms). Nika Pharm has become the most dynamic player in the domestic market and the only local manufacturer in the top ten. Competition at the individual brand level is also intense, with the...

Healthcare

Kazakh Surgeons Use MAKO Robotic System in Tashkent for the First Time

Kazakh surgeons have performed groundbreaking joint replacement procedures in Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent using the MAKO robotic system, an advanced technology in orthopedic surgery. The operations were a centerpiece of the event 'Days of Kazakh Medicine in Uzbekistan'. A surgical team led by traumatologist-orthopedist Timur Baidalin, head of the endoprosthetics department at the Batpenov National Scientific Center for Orthopedics and Traumatology, successfully conducted two joint replacements, one knee and one hip, using the MAKO robotic assistant. The system enables surgeons to plan and execute procedures with exceptional precision and reduced risk of complications. Developed by the U.S. based company Stryker, the MAKO system functions as an intelligent surgical assistant using 3D modeling technology. It creates a virtual replica of the patient’s joint, allowing the surgical team to pre-calculate the optimal implant angle, depth, and trajectory. During the procedure, the surgeon guides the MAKO manipulator, which operates with micromillimeter accuracy. This significantly lowers the risk of tissue damage and extends the lifespan of the implanted prosthesis. “The main advantage of MAKO is the ability to combine the surgeon’s experience with machine precision. This sets a new standard in endoprosthetics,” said Baidalin. For Uzbek specialists, the event served as a hands-on masterclass. In addition to observing the procedures, local doctors operated the system under the supervision of the Kazakh team. “We’ve been anticipating this technology for a long time. Today, we not only saw it in action but experienced the difference. This is a milestone for Uzbek orthopedics, and we’re grateful to our Kazakh colleagues for the opportunity to gain this experience,” said Odil Valiev, head of the adult orthopedics department at Uzbekistan’s Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Center for Traumatology and Orthopedics. This collaboration follows another recent highlight: in spring 2025, Kazakh specialists from UMC, led by cardiac surgeon Yuri Pii, presented the ALEM device at EXPO 2025 in Osaka. The technology enables the long-term preservation of donor organs and represents another significant advance in regional medical innovation.

Healthcare

ADB Approves $75M Loan to Boost Nursing Sector in Turkmenistan

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $75 million loan and an additional $2 million grant from the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific to expand and improve the nursing and midwifery workforce in Turkmenistan. According to an ADB statement, this marks the bank’s first health sector project in the country. “The project aims to provide high-quality health services based on people’s needs and ensure equitable access to health care through strengthening the nursing profession and education,” said ADB Country Director for Turkmenistan Artur Andrysiak. He noted that this is ADB’s third project in Turkmenistan, reflecting a growing partnership as the Bank and the country celebrate 25 years of cooperation. The Turkmen government has prioritized healthcare reform, with a focus on improving the education and qualifications of health workers. Nurses, often the first point of contact in the health system, will be empowered to deliver both essential care and preventive services under the new initiative. Plans include the design and construction of a climate-resilient nursing school in Ashgabat, featuring state-of-the-art facilities such as clinical simulation labs, dormitories, a mother-friendly room, and an edible garden to promote nutrition. The project will also provide new medical and educational equipment and update curricula, teaching methods, and faculty training in line with international standards. The total project cost is estimated at $98 million, with the Turkmen government contributing $23 million in counterpart financing. The initiative builds on ADB’s growing cooperation with Turkmenistan in recent years. In August 2024, ADB adopted a new country partnership strategy for Turkmenistan covering 2024-2028. The strategy focuses on supporting the transition to a climate-resilient and sustainable economy, enhancing competitiveness through diversification and human capital development, and advancing structural reforms and institutional capacity.

Nuclear Energy

Kazakhstan to Develop Nuclear Science Cities in Almaty and Kurchatov

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced plans to establish two “science cities” in Almaty and Kurchatov to support the development of nuclear energy and nuclear medicine. The proposal was unveiled during a meeting of the National Council on Science and Technology. According to Tokayev, the initiative seeks to consolidate scientific, educational, and industrial infrastructure in regions slated for nuclear power plant construction. The Institute of Nuclear Physics in Almaty is expected to serve as the foundation for a new research hub featuring a multipurpose reactor. A second center will be established in Kurchatov, in the Abai region, in collaboration with the Academy of Sciences, the National Nuclear Center, and local authorities. In a 2024 national referendum, a majority of Kazakhstani voters approved the construction of a nuclear power plant. Earlier this year, the government selected Russia’s Rosatom to build the first plant in the Almaty Region. Two additional plants are expected to be developed by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), though their locations have not yet been confirmed. Tokayev emphasized the broader applications of nuclear technology, particularly in healthcare. He called for the development of domestically produced radiopharmaceuticals and the establishment of nuclear medicine centers to enhance treatment options for cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The president also addressed the country’s shortage of nuclear specialists. To help close the gap, 20 annual scholarships under the Bolashak program will be allocated specifically for training in nuclear fields. Currently, approximately 70 percent of Bolashak scholarships are directed toward engineering and technical disciplines. Kazakhstan possesses about 40 percent of the world’s uranium reserves. Tokayev noted that developing a domestic nuclear industry would allow the country to complete the nuclear fuel cycle and reduce reliance on uranium exports. A fuel assembly plant was launched in 2021, and the commissioning of nuclear plants is expected to make nuclear energy a self-sustaining sector of the national economy. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, in March, the government established a Nuclear Energy Agency to oversee the sector’s development.

Demographics

Kazakhstan’s Aging Population: Analysts Warn of Healthcare and Economic Risks

Kazakhstan is undergoing a rapid demographic shift as its population ages at an unprecedented pace. According to a recent study by Ranking.kz, the number of citizens aged 60 and above is growing by 3-4% annually. As of early 2025, Kazakhstan had 2.8 million residents over the age of 60, an increase of 3.7% compared to the previous year. Seniors now make up 13.9% of the population, up from 12% in 2020 and 9.8% in 2010. The average annual growth rate for this age group has remained steady at around 3.8% since 2010. The gender disparity is notable: 16.4% of women in Kazakhstan are over 60, compared to just 11.3% of men. This demographic shift is largely driven by increasing life expectancy. In 2024, life expectancy in Kazakhstan reached 75.44 years, up from 75.1 the previous year. Women live an average of 79.42 years, while men live 71.33. The only recent decline in life expectancy occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. The trend mirrors global developments. According to data from the IMF, UN, and WHO, global life expectancy has more than doubled over the past century from just 34 years in 1913 to 72 years by 2022 and continues to rise, even as fertility rates fall. When the UN and WHO were founded, children under 15 outnumbered people over 65 by seven to one. By 2050, the two groups are projected to be equal. The proportion of people aged 80 and older is expected to nearly quadruple, reaching 5% of the global population. “These shifts foreshadow a vast array of problems in healthcare, as well as in the social and economic spheres,” IMF analysts caution. Experts warn that aging will reshape Kazakhstan’s labor market, change consumption patterns, and place mounting pressure on the pension system. Like many other countries, Kazakhstan faces the challenge of balancing support for its growing elderly population with the need to sustain long-term economic development.

Healthcare

Kazakhstan Emerges as Regional Leader in Medical Tourism

Kazakhstan has taken the lead in the post-Soviet space in terms of the rapid development of medical tourism, surpassing its closest regional competitors, according to Kristina Krivets, President of the Kazakhstan Medical Tourism Association. Rapid Growth in Patient Numbers The sector has experienced explosive growth in recent years. In 2022, when the association was first established, just 1,280 medical tourists were recorded. By 2023, that figure had jumped to 8,000 and by 2024, it reached 80,000. “This is a very sharp increase, which shows that Kazakhstan is becoming a notable player in the region,” Krivets said. According to the association, around 90% of foreign patients come from neighboring countries, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, plus nearby Tajikistan. The remaining 10% hail from countries such as the United States, Germany, Israel, Austria, and Switzerland. The most in-demand services include reproductive medicine, dentistry, and aesthetic procedures. Kazakhstan offers these treatments at lower costs while maintaining acceptable standards of quality. In parallel, there is growing interest in more complex procedures such as cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, and radiation therapy for cancer. The average bill for a foreign patient is approximately 1.5 million KZT ($2,780) for medical services alone. However, the total spending per patient is roughly ten times higher than that of a typical tourist, once accommodation, transportation, and additional services are factored in, underscoring the sector’s growing economic significance and its multiplier effect on related industries. Meeting International Standards Currently, nine clinics in Kazakhstan hold Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, seven in Astana and two in Almaty. While the accreditation process is costly and time-consuming, it is seen as essential for attracting international patients. “Today, Kazakhstan ranks first in medical tourism in Central Asia. Our main competitor is Uzbekistan, but we have every reason to become a medical tourism hub not just for our neighbors, but for a broader international audience,” Krivets stated. To help position Kazakhstan globally, the first international medical tourism exhibition, GlobalMedKZ, will be held in Astana on November 27-28. The event will focus on promoting the sector through information tours, social media campaigns, participation in international exhibitions, and consultations with foreign doctors. “GlobalMedKZ will become a platform for Kazakhstan to be known to the whole world,” Krivets emphasized. Legal Barriers Remain Despite its rapid development, the sector still faces significant legal challenges. Krivets pointed out that medical tourism is not yet defined in Kazakh legislation. “We are working with the Ministry of Health to include a definition in the Law ‘On Health,’ but ideally, a separate law on medical tourism is needed,” she said. Visa access is not a major hurdle, as most citizens from countries in Eurasia can enter Kazakhstan without a visa. However, state medical institutions are currently prohibited from paying commissions to foreign agents, limiting efforts to attract more international patients. Still, Krivets remains optimistic. “Medical tourism is a paid service that, with a well-structured system, can generate substantial revenue for the state. We see successful models in Turkey and South Korea, where it has become one of...