Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 5 February, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a government meeting on issues of development of the social sphere, including healthcare.

Particular attention was paid to the problem of smuggling of medicines, including narcotic drugs.

The President expressed concern about the lack of effective measures to combat this phenomenon. There have also been criticisms of the slow pace of progress in improving drug use.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted the lack of proper control over the population’s intake of antibiotics, noting that pharmacies sell them without following the necessary protocols, and prescriptions are written in the interests of making money for pharmaceutical companies.

This situation, according to the president, harms the health of citizens and their financial condition.

It was noted that the size of the pharmaceutical market in Uzbekistan has reached US$2 billion.

However, although the share of local products in this market is 40-45 percent in physical volume, in monetary terms it does not exceed 20 percent.

Simply put, our products do not go beyond bandages, alcohol, syringes, analgin and citramone, the President noted.