Advancing access to outpatient medicines in Uzbekistan

Stronger WHO country presence for a healthier and safer world

Joint Outcome 4.3.

 

Financial protection improved by reducing financial barriers and out-of-pocket health expenditures, especially for the most vulnerable

 

Uzbekistan has struggled to ensure a timely and uninterrupted supply of essential medicines, leading to high out-of-pocket costs and poor health outcomes, especially for those with chronic conditions.

With the support of the Worth Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, the Ministry of Health and the State Health Insurance Fund introduced a reimbursement scheme for medicines targeting five key noncommunicable diseases, aligning with the President’s priority of equitable health care access. Patients now receive selected medicines at no cost from community pharmacies, which are reimbursed by the State Health Insurance Fund.

The Regional Office’s expert guidance, based on best practices, has been essential to success. In 2023, for example, it facilitated discussions among six countries, including Uzbekistan, focused on drug pricing, selection and reimbursement. Seamless collaboration between WHO offices and national partners is actively shaping a sustainable, patient-centred health system.

The impact

Starting as a pilot in the Syrdarya oblast in 2022, the reimbursement scheme later expanded to the capital of Tashkent. It continues to progressively increase the geographical coverage, the volume of reimbursed products and the number of beneficiaries. By May 2024, over 40 000 people were covered under the scheme, with 11 medicines eligible for reimbursement.

© WHO / Anna Usova
Children's routine immunizations in a clinic in Uzbekistan. Nurse holding a baby girl.
© Credits

Lessons learned

  • Health financing reform should be comprehensive, covering both health services and medical products.

  • Effective pricing and reimbursement mechanisms should be adapted to the national context and health priorities.

  • The Ministry of Health’s coordination and the State Health Insurance Fund’s inclusive outreach to stakeholders are paving the way to further expand the reimbursement scheme.

Donors and partners

Ministry of Health; State Health Insurance Fund.

“WHO’s comprehensive support has been instrumental in shaping our national reimbursement system into a patient-centred partnership.” 

Dr Farrukh Sharipov, Deputy Minister of Health and former Executive Director of the State Health Insurance Fund, Uzbekistan

 

“This collaboration multiplies the impact of the medicines reimbursement system, increasing coverage and helping us to reach more people to cater for their health.” 

Mr Zokhid Ermatov, Chief Executive Officer of the State Health Insurance Fund, Uzbekistan

 

What's next?

Uzbekistan plans to expand the reimbursement system nationwide. The initiative has created a platform on which additional priority medicines can be added, further improving coverage. WHO remains committed to supporting Uzbekistan's journey towards universal health coverage and Sustainable Development Goal 3: good health and well-being for all.