Kazakhstan, AstraZeneca agree to lower prices on 22 vital medicinesKazakhstan’s Health Ministry and global biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca have signed a memorandum of cooperation on drug pricing, AstraZeneca in Kazakhstan said in a press release.“Following the memorandum AstraZeneca will reduce prices for 22 essential medicines at both wholesale and retail levels, improving patient access to innovative treatments,” the press release says."Such initiatives will stabilize the pharmaceutical market, expand access to modern therapies, and support investment and localized production," Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova is quoted as saying.The deal also outlines future collaboration, including negotiations, meetings, localization of drugs production, as well as preparation of analytical and other reports that will help Kazakhstan improve its healthcare system, according to the press release.In a separate move, the Health Ministry signed memorandums of cooperation with ChimPharm JSC and Johnson & Johnson Kazakhstan LLP.The agreement with Johnson & Johnson is aimed at revision of prices for Spinraza (nusinersen), a treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, which is a rare but life-threatening condition. Meanwhile, ChimPharm committed to lowering prices for dapagliflozin, a Type 2 diabetes medication. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX