Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- AstraZeneca proposed developing a system for early detection of chronic heart failure (CHF) in Uzbekistan. This was stated by Tatyana Kubasova, Director of Business Development and Frontier Markets at AstraZeneca in Russia and Eurasia, within the framework of the Third International Pharmaceutical Forum of Uzbekistan.

Evgenia Shalaeva, representative of the Project Office “Center for Healthcare Projects” of the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan, noted that 40% of deaths in Uzbekistan are due to cardiovascular diseases. Including strokes, this figure exceeds 55%.

Tatyana Kubasova emphasized that CHF is a serious disease that significantly affects mortality rates in Uzbekistan. For effective assistance to the population, it is necessary to introduce a screening system that allows identifying CHF in the early stages and preventing the development of the disease.

She noted that the introduction of a screening system will allow to standardize the process of identifying CHF, refer patients with suspected disease to specialized specialists for diagnosis, provide personalized treatment according to modern standards, and digitalize the medical database to analyze information about patients. The implementation of this initiative is being discussed with the expert community of Uzbekistan, she added.

Kubasova noted that organizing screening for CHF will save lives and prevent rapid progression of the disease. This is especially important for Uzbekistan, which is one of the leaders in mortality from cardiovascular diseases in the world. In 2023, more than 60% of deaths in Uzbekistan were associated with diseases of the circulatory system.

She also emphasized that according to the state strategy, by 2030, mortality from cardiovascular diseases should decrease by 30%. The introduction of CHF screening directly contributes to achieving this goal, which will bring positive experience in the implementation of such projects and improve the health of citizens.

Cost sharing and risk sharing

At the forum, AstraZeneca also drew attention to the importance of launching pilot projects to share the cost of treatment - cost-sharing and risk-sharing. Kubasova noted that constant financing of drug provision, including expensive targeted therapy, requires significant resources, but patients should be able to receive the best medicines. Treatment cost-sharing models may include discounts, additional packaging, and development of diagnostic projects. New regulation is needed for these models to become standard practice. Kubasova proposed the launch of pilot projects, where a nosology is selected, existing drugs are analyzed, and mechanisms for implementing the program are discussed together with the regulator.

AstraZeneca representative emphasized that international companies are ready to share their experience in implementing such projects. It is important that regulators and medical experts join the discussion to develop a common approach.

Development of the pharmaceutical market in Uzbekistan

Kubasova also noted the active development of the pharmaceutical market in Uzbekistan, which is facilitated by the national program for the diagnosis and detection of diseases and the modernization of the drug supply system according to international standards with the gradual introduction of compulsory health insurance. Uzbekistan is of great interest to AstraZeneca. When entering a new market, an international pharmaceutical company not only supplies drugs, but also builds an entire ecosystem, including the development of diagnostic programs and genetic testing to identify serious diseases.

Kubasova added that international companies have unique competence and can attract foreign expertise to exchange experience in the development of healthcare. For example, the Swedish office of the company participates in dialogue with government agencies in Uzbekistan. Creating such an ecosystem requires large investments and long-term partnerships between regulators, the company and healthcare experts.

Kubasova also welcomed the introduction of labeling of medicinal products in Uzbekistan. In her opinion, this will reduce the number of counterfeit products on the market. She noted the need to tighten penalties for those involved in counterfeiting medicines.

She noted that the introduction of labeling requires additional actions on the part of businesses, but this is important because as a result, the volume of counterfeit products on the market decreases. As an example, she cited the experience of Russia, where the introduction of labeling led to the almost complete disappearance of counterfeit medicines from the market.