Pharmaceutical production in Kazakhstan has increased significantly. In January–May 2026, output of basic pharmaceutical products and preparations reached KZT 109.5 billion, up 38.3% from the same period last year, with the industrial production index (IPI) at 126.6%. By comparison, output stood at KZT 15.6 billion in January–May 2016, KZT 50.4 billion in 2020 and KZT 79.2 billion in 2025.
By region, pharmaceutical production remains concentrated in several key centers. Karaganda Region accounted for the largest output in January–May 2026, at KZT 40.2 billion, up 2.3-fold year on year. Shymkent ranked second with KZT 35.1 billion, although production in the city declined by 7%. It was followed by Almaty Region (KZT 15.9 billion) and Almaty city (KZT 11.2 billion), where output also fell, by 31.1% and 15.8%, respectively. Together, Karaganda Region, Shymkent, Almaty Region and Almaty city accounted for more than 93% of Kazakhstan’s total pharmaceutical output.
Against the backdrop of growing production, prices for pharmaceutical products continued to rise. In May this year, they increased by 1.7% month on month. Year on year, pharmaceutical products rose in price by 19.3%. This was the highest May increase in recent years, with the exception of 2016, when prices in the sector surged by 39%. The largest increases were recorded in Akmola Region (28.6%), North Kazakhstan Region (27.1%), Zhetisu Region (25.8%), Zhambyl Region (25.1%) and West Kazakhstan Region (24.7%), while the smallest were seen in Pavlodar Region (7.4%), Mangystau Region (11.7%) and Ulytau Region (14.8%).
Price trends varied across individual medicines. The sharpest year-on-year increases were recorded for acetylsalicylic acid (74.2%), activated charcoal (73.7%), paracetamol (51.6%), No-Spa (37.1%), Smecta (32.4%) and Corvalol (32.1%). Prices also rose significantly for Omez (24.7%), Hilak Forte (24%), Essentiale Forte N (22.1%), Magne B6 (21%) and Citramon P (20.2%). At the same time, some medicines became cheaper: Enap by 14.7%, indapamide by 9.1% and azithromycin by 6%.
