The president Mirziyoyev signed decree on May 23 adopting additional restrictions for licenses to pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies.
From September 1, the following conditions must be met to begin pharmaceutical activities or retail sales of drugs:
- all rent or free use agreements for premises (where pharmaceutical activities will be carried out) must be registered with the tax authorities;
- payment by bank cards and other electronic payment when selling drugs.
- If a tax audit finds that a company purchases, transports, stores or sells counterfeit drugs (without receipt documents) or drugs without digital marking, the license may be suspended.
In addition, a procedure shall take effect from July 1according to which the sale of drugs imported to Uzbekistan to wholesalers and retailers is allowed only through the importing organization or its official dealers and on the basis of an electronic invoice. That is, only companies that imported goods themselves or their official dealers will be able to sell imported drugs. Independent intermediaries and unauthorized organizations will not be able to legally sell such drugs.
Earlier, a 2% customs duty was introduced from April 1 for imports of a number of drugs to Uzbekistan. These include antibiotics, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, antivirals, hormonal and other drugs.
