SK-Pharmacy LLP has commented on Mazhilis deputy Bakhytzhan Bazarbek's statement to the Prosecutor General's Office regarding the facts identified during an audit by the Supreme Audit Chamber (SAC) in the pharmaceutical sector. In his earlier appeal, the deputy stated that SK-Pharmacy had purchased medicines and medical devices at prices exceeding market rates by 40%–365%.
In response, the company reported that it is implementing measures to address the violations identified during the SAC audit, as well as to improve transparency in procurement and logistics processes.
"At our initiative, a number of changes have been introduced to regulatory legal acts. <…> These measures are aimed at developing fair competition, reducing service costs and increasing transparency, which in turn minimises the risks of shortfalls in supply. Furthermore, work is underway on a number of strategic changes to the regulatory framework and business processes of the Single Distributor," the statement reads.
SK-Pharmacy stated that it is open to identifying and rectifying shortcomings in its operations, but urges refraining from premature accusations until the official inspection is completed.
It was also noted that, based on the audit results, SK-Pharmacy LLP sent an official appeal to the Prosecutor General's Office requesting a legal assessment of the actions of a number of suppliers, as well as the regulatory legal acts adopted back in 2023. The company believes these acts led to a sharp increase in storage and transportation costs for medicines and medical devices.
Incidentally, against this backdrop, the management changed at SK-Pharmacy, although the connection between these personnel decisions and the results of the SAC audit has not been officially confirmed. Nurlibek Asylbekov, who previously headed the Shymkent health department, was appointed as the company's new chairman of the board.
It will be recalled that Mazhilis deputy Bakhytzhan Bazarbek sent a statement to the Prosecutor General's Office regarding the facts identified during the Supreme Audit Chamber's audit. The appeal concerns the activities of SK-Pharmacy LLP, the National Centre for Expertise of Medicinal Products, the Single Distributor, and other participants in the pharmaceutical industry.