During the session, participants discussed implementation of the law “On investment activity” at the Uzbek state joint stock concern of pharmaceutical industry.

Representatives of state bodies, Uzfarmsanoat, heads of pharmaceutical companies, NGOs, scholars and experts participated at the session.

It was noted that pharmaceutical industry is one of important sectors of Uzbekistan’s economy. It includes production of pharmaceutical products and medical goods.

Study of the execution of the law “On investment activities” at Uzfarmsanoat showed that effective implementation of complex of measures on attracting investments to further development of pharmaceutical industry.

Currently, pharmaceutical industry has over 130 enterprises and three scientific-research institutes. The industry has joint ventures from Bangladesh, Great Britain, Germany, China, India, UAE, Poland, Russia, Turkey and Switzerland.

In last three years, the volume of production of pharmaceutical products rose twice and the exports jumped by 2.2 times. The industry launched production of 142 new medicaments.

Uzbek Chemical-Pharmaceutical scientific-research institute, Tashkent scientific-research institute of vaccines and serum research and Sharq Tabobati in 2010-2012 implemented 22 projects to support scientific developments. The state budget allocated to 1.6 billion soums to these research works. The industry attracted investments for US$116.5 million. In the result, some 27 enterprises with foreign investments for US$40.3 million were created.

Local pharmaceutical enterprises registered and produce over 1,200 types of medicaments and medical products of 30 pharmacological groups, which include drugs, vaccines and serums, ampoules and vials of various sizes, medical gauze, disposable syringes, transfusion systems, dressings and other products produced in high-tech equipment.

In order to full satisfaction of demands of population in medicaments, Uzbekistan works on creation of new enterprises in the regions of Uzbekistan. Some 34 pharmaceutical companies work in Syrdarya and Tashknt egion, which produce medicaments for 177.8 billion soums in 2010-2012. Some 1,450 new jobs were created here.

Uzbekistan implements the resolution “On priorities of development of industry in Uzbekistan for 2011-2015”, which envisages creation of 21 new pharmaceutical enterprises in Andijan, Bukhara, Kashkadarya, Namangan, Surkhandarya and Khorezm regions in 2013-2015.

At the meeting, Senators also considered shortages in the industry. The participants said that it is necessary to increase investment attractiveness of industry, especially with innovative projects, scientific-research works, etc.

The participants made proposals on further effective use of natural resources and local raw materials in production of medical products. It was said that Uzfarmsanoat should speed up work on inclusion of projects into investment and localization programmes.

The Committee of Senate of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan on budget and economic reforms adopted a corresponding decision.