Drug Inspections in Almaty: Monitoring Team Checks SK-Farmacy Warehouses
In Almaty, Kazakhstan, a two-month supply of pharmaceuticals and medical devices has been amassed as a precautionary measure against a potential second wave of coronavirus infections. This was confirmed by a monitoring group, including representatives from the Anti-Corruption Service and public figures, following their visit to the warehouses of the pharmaceutical company, "SK-Farmatsiya."
The warehouse, spanning 3700 square meters, operates under a four-level temperature regime, ranging from -20 to +25 degrees Celsius, and stores different medications in separate blocks. Through "SK-Farmatsiya," 155 medical organizations in the city are supplied, including 19 republican clinics and 136 city medical organizations.
The stockpile, valued at over 296 million tenge, includes medications for 78 positions, with 37 types of drugs specifically for treating coronavirus patients. The city's representative office of "SK-Farmatsiya" revealed that the non-decreasing stock is estimated based on a forecast by the authoritative body for 60,000 inpatients per month, ensuring a two-month supply for 120,000 patients.
So far, 44 types of medications, worth over 8 billion tenge, have been procured to cater to approximately 60,000 inpatients per month. The remaining types are subject to ongoing procurement procedures. The stockpile is distributed and stored in four hubs of the single distributor "SK-Farmatsiya" - Nur-Sultan, Almaty, Shymkent, and Aktobe.
Upon inspection, the Anti-Corruption Service of the city confirmed the availability of five types of mandatory medications. Further monitoring will be conducted in hospitals and clinics where these stocks already exist. Meanwhile, the republican coordinator of public control asserted that similar monitoring is currently underway across all cities in Kazakhstan.
Since the start of the pandemic, essential medications and medical devices, collectively worth over 2.5 billion tenge, have been supplied for treating patients with COVID-19 in Kazakhstan. The summer saw coordination between the Department of Public Health and the city's Akimat regarding the supplies. Currently, the supply is operating under a planned regime, according to "SK-Farmacia."
The news was reported by Tatyana Kim and Medet Samatuly of Almaty TV channel.
While no precise data could be found on the specific types, quantity, or distribution of the COVID-19 medication stockpile in Almaty from the available sources, the preparedness demonstrated by local governments in the region, such as the Azad Kashmir government's initiative to stockpile essential supplies for at least two months, serves as a model for emergency preparedness in such scenarios.
- Amidst the ongoing pandemic, Almaty's stockpile of medications for treating medical-conditions such as coronavirus consists of 37 types of drugs, ensuring health-and-wellness for 120,000 patients over a two-month period.
- The city's representative office of "SK-Farmatsiya" has procured over 296 million tenge worth of medications, focusing on science-based solutions for various medical-conditions, with a significant portion dedicated to addressing health-and-wellness concerns related to the coronavirus.
