Kazakhstan Targets 50% Pharmaceutical Self-Sufficiency by 2029 through Genomic Innovation

Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has formally announced an ambitious strategic roadmap for the development of Kazakhstan’s pharmaceutical industry. The government’s primary objective is to fundamentally transform the domestic healthcare market by increasing the share of locally produced medicines to 50% within the next three years. This initiative aims to ensure national drug sovereignty and reduce the country’s dependence on foreign imports.

To achieve this milestone, the government is implementing an aggressive investment attraction policy. Foreign and domestic pharmaceutical companies are being offered a robust package of incentives, including comprehensive tax and customs exemptions, the allocation of free land plots with ready infrastructure, and - most importantly - long-term guaranteed procurement contracts from the state. These measures are designed to create a predictable and profitable environment for high-tech manufacturing.

The strategy also integrates agricultural development with cutting-edge science. In the North Kazakhstan Region, large-scale cultivation of the medicinal plant Leuzea carthamoides (Maral root) has already commenced. Simultaneously, scientists at the state - owned "QazBioPharm" holding are spearheading the technological frontier. They are currently developing advanced genomic and bioinformatic methods to create a new generation of phytopreparations.

According to Prime Minister Bektenov, the state is prioritizing scientific and technical programs that focus on the synthesis of biologically active substances through in vitro methods. This research extends into the development of cellular, genomic, and proteomic technologies for medical diagnostics. By utilizing molecular - genetic approaches and biochemical studies, Kazakhstan aims to identify and produce high-quality enzymes and identified phytopreparations that meet international standards. This scientific shift marks a transition from simple manufacturing to a sophisticated, research - driven pharmaceutical ecosystem.