A number of officials from the Ministry of Health and its subordinate organisations have been held disciplinarily responsible following a state audit conducted by the Supreme Audit Chamber (SAC).
According to the SAC press service, these measures were taken due to identified violations and shortcomings in the provision of medicines and medical devices to citizens and hospitals. Based on the inspection, the authority ordered a review of the personal responsibility of the heads of the organisations.
It has been reported that disciplinary sanctions were imposed on:
- the Director of the Department of Drug Policy;
- the Director of the Department for the Development of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Industry;
- the Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Human Resources;
- the Director of the Scientific Centre for Anti-Infective Drugs;
- the Deputy General Director of the National Centre for the Expertise of Medicinal Products and Medical Devices;
- the Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Salidat Kairbekova National Scientific Centre for Healthcare Development.
At the same time, following a recommendation from the SAC, the powers of the Chairman of the Board of SK-Pharmacy LLP were terminated early by order dated 3 July.
It will be recalled that in July, law enforcement agencies launched a criminal investigation into embezzlement at SK-Pharmacy LLP and entities in the pharmaceutical sector. The case was initiated following an appeal by Majilis deputies Bakytzhan Bazarbek and Murat Abenov to the Prosecutor General's Office regarding violations identified by the SAC.