We present to your attention archival material from 2023 dedicated to the drug tracking system.
How does the drug traceability system function in Kyrgyzstan?
Concerned about our health, when we fall ill, we turn to doctors for prescriptions for medications that can heal us.
In Kyrgyzstan, there are 276 pharmaceutical companies offering more than 6,500 different medications to the population.
But how can we be sure of the safety and effectiveness of these drugs? Is it worth buying an expensive medication, or is it better to find a more affordable option? The problem is exacerbated by the fact that some medications continue to be sold illegally in markets and online, increasing the risk of acquiring expired or counterfeit products. Counterfeit drugs may contain incorrect dosages, wrong ingredients, or even dangerous substances, which can threaten people's health and lives.
In March 2023, an innovative drug traceability system was implemented in Kyrgyzstan, allowing for the tracking of the full cycle of a medication—from production to sale to the patient.
The system ensures the labeling of each medication package, improving quality control and allowing patients to quickly find out where and at what price they can purchase the drug.
How does the drug traceability system work?
Each medication package is equipped with a unique QR code that provides all the necessary information about the drug—name, manufacturer, production date, and importer.
The uniqueness of this code lies in the fact that we can now track each package: as soon as the drug crosses the border of Kyrgyzstan, the system registers it in the database.
Next, the system records that the medication has arrived at the warehouse of the pharmaceutical company, which pharmacy or hospital it was sent to, and when it was issued to the patient—after which the QR code of the package is deactivated.
Data from the QR code is stored in the database of the Department of Medicines, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and pharmacies, and this database is regularly updated.
In many countries where drug tracking systems have been implemented, their own coding standards are used. Each manufacturer is required to adhere to these standards.
However, Kyrgyzstan has chosen a different path. Our country did not create its own QR code standard; instead, Turkish specialists helped adapt the system so that we could read QR codes designed for most countries.
This simplifies the process of importing medications, as large manufacturers often cannot quickly establish printing of country-specific QR codes for small batches.
The electronic traceability system was developed by Kyrgyz specialists based on the software of the Turkish system, which is recommended by the World Health Organization as exemplary. Turkey was one of the first to implement such a system, which contributed to the development of medical services and exports. Kyrgyzstan was granted the right to adapt this system.
The implementation of the drug tracking program is handled by the Turkish company TCHealth Information Technologies.
Pharmaceutical companies can quickly obtain codes for small batches of medications from the Department of Medicines and print them on regular printers.
How is the traceability system applied in hospitals and pharmacies?
The system ensures transparency in the movement of large volumes of medications. In hospitals, drugs are recorded upon arrival at the warehouse and when issued to the department. Specialists track the movement of medications within the hospital and the status of stocks in real time.
Drug traceability helps reduce the damage from corruption during tenders for the supply of medicines and medical devices. The centralized system provides complete information about the volumes and prices of necessary medications.
The system functions similarly in pharmacies. Large pharmacy chains are already connected to this system.
The distributor scans the QR codes of the medications and transfers them to the pharmacies. The pharmacies, in turn, accept these medications into their inventory. When selling medications, the QR code is scanned, and the sale information is immediately sent to the server. This allows for verification of the authenticity of the drug, monitoring expiration dates, and, importantly, tracking prices.
The government has set maximum prices for certain categories of medications, so pharmacies cannot sell them above the established cost. Otherwise, the system blocks the sale.
By the end of the year, every pharmacy in the country will be connected to the system.
Patients will be able to independently check the availability and quality of purchased medications using a mobile application. It is enough to scan the QR code on the package, and all necessary information will appear on the smartphone screen. In the future, users will have access to additional features—from usage instructions to possible side effects. The application will also be able to compare prices with alternatives and provide addresses of the nearest pharmacies with available medications. This will eliminate the need to call and visit multiple pharmacies in search of the needed drug at the best price.
What will the implementation of the drug traceability system bring to Kyrgyzstan?
First of all, it will provide consumer protection. The system will help prevent the sale of counterfeit drugs and control prices.
Secondly, logistics optimization. Transparent information about the availability of medications in pharmacies and hospitals will simplify planning and restocking, reduce delivery times, and lower transportation costs.
Additionally, the possibility of corruption will decrease. Tracking the movement of medications, their costs, and stock levels will complicate the use of gray schemes in tender procurement and contribute to preventing artificial shortages in the pharmaceutical market.
The new system is universal and can integrate with other electronic systems. All movements in the pharmaceutical market are already tracked through the government Situational Center, providing specialists from the Administration of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic with access to information in real time.
Thanks to these innovations, we can be confident that medications have passed all necessary quality and safety checks and have not been falsified at any stage—from production to delivery.
Thus, through our joint efforts, we can improve the quality of life for every citizen of the Kyrgyz Republic!
