Ukrainian drugmakers sold $114 million worth of medicines to Uzbekistan in six months. Now they may lose the right to sell there
That export cash keeps medicine prices low at home. Without it, drugs could get pricier for Ukrainian patients, a former regulator official says.
Ukrainian pharmaceutical firms generated $114 million in sales to Uzbekistan over the first half of 2026, marking a significant increase from 2021. However, these sales could potentially be jeopardized as Uzbekistan plans to discontinue remote factory inspections next year. Inspectors are currently hesitant to travel to war-torn Ukraine. The country grants three-year General Manufacturing Practice certificates after inspecting facilities, a process that is set to end on January 1, 2027.
Around 30% of Ukraine's foreign-currency earnings come from this market, making it the top foreign market for four of the industry's five biggest drugmakers by revenue. Losing Uzbekistan as a customer could force these companies to hike domestic prices or discontinue low-margin medicines, adversely impacting patients. Farmak, the largest of these firms, generates 35% of its exports for Uzbekistan.
However, wartime currency rules limit payment terms to 180 days, whereas foreign buyers frequently require longer payment periods. As a result, some of Farmak's trade is routed through its Polish subsidiary.
The Uzbek government has drafted rules for remote inspections under extraordinary circumstances, but no concrete action has been taken yet. Ukrainian companies have sought assistance from the Presidential Office, Foreign Ministry, and Health Ministry, but no Ukrainian experts have been dispatched to Uzbekistan as of yet. While Russia currently holds nearly the same market share as Ukraine in Uzbekistan, it remains poised to assume Ukraine's position if necessary.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
