The MCID of the Republic of Kazakhstan told the editorial board of the FBRC about who developed the product labelling information system that Kazakhtelecom JSC presented in 2020. Previously, we wrote that the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan received a proposal to introduce a medicine monitoring programme from the company Medical Value Chain (MVC).
This platform has already been adopted by 32 countries and can be provided to Kazakhstan free of charge on a model operating in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the EU.
However, no measures were taken to implement this system. At the same time, it became known that Kazakhtelecom JSC had developed its own product labelling information system.
The editorial board of the FBRC sent an official request to the MCID of the Republic of Kazakhstan to find out whether the implementation of this system is ongoing.
The response letter states that Kazakhtelecom JSC is the Single Operator for labelling and traceability of goods as a result of a tender, where responsibility for making such a decision fell on an "interdepartmental tender committee consisting of heads and deputy heads of central government bodies (MTI, MF, MIIR, MNE, MJ, MH, MSA, MCID) and the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs".
"Several companies took part in the three-stage tender, including the Republican State Enterprise on the Right of Economic Management 'Banknote Factory of the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan', Transtelecom JSC, Logicom JSC and Kazakhtelecom JSC", the department reported.
It is noted that the costs of developing and operating the proposed system are borne directly by the Single Operator, i.e., Kazakhtelecom JSC. The "Naqty Onim" application, also developed by Kazakhtelecom JSC, is a tool for checking the labelling code. Another Kazakhtelecom JSC application, "Naqty Sauda", is an alternative for a till with a scanner. Free mobile applications are available on all platforms.
Unfortunately, we were not provided with information on Kazakhtelecom JSC's expenses on the labelling system and applications, and regarding the cost per transaction on goods for the end consumer, we were advised to contact the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
However, we still intend to find out how much money Kazakhtelecom JSC spent. In addition, the editorial board of the FBRC has sent an official request to the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Kazakhstan asking them to report what price they plan to set for the end consumer.