Kazakhstan summed up the first results of drug procurement reform: saving 70 billion tenge and new mechanisms for orphan drugs
Published 30 September 2026
Last update 30 September 2026
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Kazakhstan has summarised the first results of changes to the system of pricing and public procurement of medicines. More than 400 medicines are procured directly from manufacturers. Over three years, the volume of direct procurement has grown by 187%.
Results of the Procurement Campaign
According to the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan, the total economic effect of the 2026 procurement campaign amounted to about KZT 70 billion, of which about KZT 25 billion is related to the expansion of direct contracts with manufacturers.
An additional effect was provided by the revision of pricing, procurement through international organisations, and competitive procedures. The freed-up funds are directed towards additional medicinal provision for patients.
Source: Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
A Separate Mechanism for Orphan Drugs
In March 2026, special rules for the provision of medicines for the treatment of orphan diseases were approved. The need for therapy is determined on a personalised basis, based on the conclusion of a multidisciplinary group indicating the drug, dose, and treatment regimen.
Cost-Sharing with Manufacturers
The rules create a legal basis for sharing the costs of therapy with manufacturers. A manufacturer may submit a corresponding proposal to the Ministry of Health. Based on a recommendation from the Formulary Commission, the single distributor concludes a contract providing for reimbursement by the manufacturer of part of the cost of medicinal therapy.
At the same time, the current rules do not establish a dependence of the amount of reimbursement on the achievement of a specific clinical outcome for the patient. This concerns a financial cost-sharing mechanism in the provision of high-cost orphan therapy, rather than "payment for results."
Source: Order of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 29 dated 11 March 2026.
Thus, Kazakhstan is simultaneously developing direct negotiations with manufacturers, centralised procurement, and special financial mechanisms for orphan drugs, forming a more flexible model of medicinal provision.
Results of the Procurement CampaignAccording to the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan, the total economic effect of the 2026 procurement campaign amounted to about KZT 70 billion, of which about KZT 25 billion is related to the expansion of direct contracts with manufacturers.
An additional effect was provided by the revision of pricing, procurement through international organisations, and competitive procedures. The freed-up funds are directed towards additional medicinal provision for patients.
Source: Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan. A Separate Mechanism for Orphan DrugsIn March 2026, special rules for the provision of medicines for the treatment of orphan diseases were approved. The need for therapy is determined on a personalised basis, based on the conclusion of a multidisciplinary group indicating the drug, dose, and treatment regimen.
Cost-Sharing with ManufacturersThe rules create a legal basis for sharing the costs of therapy with manufacturers. A manufacturer may submit a corresponding proposal to the Ministry of Health. Based on a recommendation from the Formulary Commission, the single distributor concludes a contract providing for reimbursement by the manufacturer of part of the cost of medicinal therapy.
At the same time, the current rules do not establish a dependence of the amount of reimbursement on the achievement of a specific clinical outcome for the patient. This concerns a financial cost-sharing mechanism in the provision of high-cost orphan therapy, rather than "payment for results."
Source: Order of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 29 dated 11 March 2026. Thus, Kazakhstan is simultaneously developing direct negotiations with manufacturers, centralised procurement, and special financial mechanisms for orphan drugs, forming a more flexible model of medicinal provision.
