Published: 18 April 2016 г.
Bishkek – On 18 April 2016 “PARK HOTEL”: The Association of Harm Reduction Programs “Partnership Network” host a round table discussion dedicated to the development of an action plan for improving spending of state funds for the procurement of medicines to treat HIV, TB, HVC, oncology diseases, as well as the procurement of immunosuppressive drugs. Attendees discusses the possibilities to increase the volume of state funds allocated for the procurement of pharmaceuticals and to expand the list of drugs which are accessible and affordable for the population.
The round table is organized by Association of Harm Reduction Programs “Partnership Network” in partnership with the Public Fund “Egene”, Association “Country Network of People Living with HIV”, and the Public Foundation “Centr podderjki bolnyh Nadejda na jizn” who are implementing the project entitled “Ensuring Access to Treatment for patients with HIV, TB, Hepatitis C, oncological diseases, and for those patients who have received transplanted organs”. Jogorku Kenesh deputies attend the meeting along with representatives of the Office of the Government, the Ministry of Health, the Mandatory Medical Insurance Fund (MMIF), international organizations, Public Councils, and civil society organizations.
The meeting presented the findings of research that will allow the administrative bodies see the opportunities for savings that can be used to increase the volume and variety of drugs procured with state funds. Following the discussions, the participants established a working group to facilitate the registration of pharmaceutical products, the development of clinical protocols, and update the list of life-saving medications.
The Kyrgyz Republic is among the seven countries that have the fastest rate of growth in the number of patients with HIV and is one of the 27 countries in the world with the highest burden of the multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRT). The total number of individuals with hepatitis C amounts to more than 4% of the population of the country, and official statistics state that more than 220 thousand individuals have hepatitis C. More than 3000 cases of oncology diseases are registered every year and the number of people with transplanted organs is also increasing.
In order to properly supply HIV-infected and TB-infected individuals with medicine in 2018; the Kyrgyz Republic will require at least $911,000 to procure antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and about $3 million to provide treatment against MDRT. From 2016 onwards, the Government should allocate at least $500,000 to procure first-line drugs. Approximately, $ 146,000 is allocated for immunosuppressive drugs while the need is 5 times higher. Since 2010, treatment of oncology diseases has not received any support except for the $ 44,000 that was allocated in 2015 for treatments for children.
This project is supported by the
Collaborative Governance Program (CGP) promoting effective collaboration among civil society, the private sector, and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the private sector of the Kyrgyz Republic. The Program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), and implemented by East-West Management Institute (EWMI)