Medicine Prices in Kazakhstan: Changes in Regulation - FCHAIN

Medicine Prices in Kazakhstan: Changes in Regulation

Kazakhstan continues the gradual deregulation of medicine prices. The Ministry of Healthcare is removing medicines priced at up to 1 MCI from state price regulation. In 2026, 1 MCI amounts to KZT 4,325. As a result, more than 1,200 medicines will transition to market-based pricing mechanisms. For participants in the pharmaceutical market, these changes mean a reduction in the list of medicines subject to regulated prices. At the same time, government authorities plan to strengthen price monitoring through digital tools.

 

Which Medicines Are Being Removed from Price Regulation

As part of the gradual deregulation process, Order No. 105 of the Minister of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated September 4, 2026, introduced changes to the list of medicines subject to state price regulation for wholesale and retail sales. Medicines priced at up to 1 MCI are being removed from state price regulation. In 2026, this indicator amounts to KZT 4,325. According to the Ministry of Healthcare, as a result of these changes, more than 1,200 medicines will transition to market-based pricing mechanisms. Market participants will be able to set prices for these medicines independently, taking supply and demand into account. The measure is aimed at promoting competition, expanding the range of medicines, and improving their affordability for the population.

 

The List of Regulated Medicines Has Been Reduced

Following the amendments, the number of items subject to state price regulation has decreased from 3,039 to 1,827. As a result, price regulation will apply to a more limited list of medicines. According to the Ministry of Healthcare, this approach makes state regulation more targeted and allows it to focus on medicines for which additional measures are required to protect affordability for the population. For the pharmaceutical market, this means that two pricing mechanisms will operate simultaneously: prices for some medicines will continue to be regulated by the state, while medicines removed from the relevant list will transition to market-based pricing.

 

Price Monitoring in the Pharmaceutical Market Will Be Strengthened

The deregulation of some medicines is accompanied by stronger monitoring of the pharmaceutical market. The Ministry of Healthcare, together with the Agency for Protection and Development of Competition of the Republic of Kazakhstan, is developing mechanisms for price monitoring and control, including the use of the information system for product labeling and traceability. Digital tools make it possible to track the movement of medicines and analyze actual prices at different stages of their circulation. This provides an opportunity to identify potential signs of unjustified price increases in a timely manner. Mandatory labeling of medicines has been in effect since July 2024. Since its introduction, approximately 1.1 billion packages of medicines have passed through the system.

 

What the Changes Mean for Pharmaceutical Businesses

For participants in the pharmaceutical market, the changes are primarily related to the revision of the list of medicines subject to state price regulation. More than 1,200 medicines are transitioning to market-based pricing mechanisms, while the total number of regulated items has been reduced to 1,827.

At the same time, the transition to market-based pricing does not mean that market oversight will be discontinued. Government authorities continue to develop price monitoring mechanisms, including the use of the product labeling and traceability system. The Ministry of Healthcare will also continue its efforts to ensure the affordability of medicines. If prices in pharmacies exceed the established maximum prices, individuals may submit complaints through the DariKZ application to the territorial departments of the Committee for Medical and Pharmaceutical Control.

 

FChain Support for Pharmaceutical Businesses

Changes in pharmaceutical market regulation require companies to take current requirements into account in a timely manner when organizing their operations. FChain provides professional legal and accounting services to companies operating in Kazakhstan, including specialized support for participants in the pharmaceutical industry.

• Legal Support for Pharmaceutical Companies in Kazakhstan — comprehensive legal support for companies operating in the pharmaceutical market of Kazakhstan.
• Accounting Services — accounting and tax record-keeping and preparation of the required company reporting.
• HR Services — support with HR processes and maintenance of personnel documentation.
• Registration of Companies — support throughout the process of establishing and registering a business in Kazakhstan.
• Market Entry in Kazakhstan – Comprehensive Business Support — comprehensive support for companies establishing and developing their operations in the Kazakhstan market.

FChain’s business support combines legal and accounting expertise, enabling pharmaceutical companies to systematically organize their business processes and take changes in market regulation into account.

 

Employment in Kazakhstan: Changes from October 2026

Prepared by: Anel Kosmaganbetova

Assistant to the Director

FChain Kazakhstan

 📩almaty@f-chain.com
WhatsApp: +7 771 214 1820