Uzbekistan, South Korea Expand Healthcare Cooperation
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan and South Korea discussed expanding cooperation in healthcare, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, including the development of research infrastructure, clinical studies and the use of artificial intelligence in medicine, the Agency for the Development of the Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry said.
Agency Director Abdulla Azizov held a meeting with a South Korean delegation that included Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) Director Regina Han, Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) Director Sangjin Kang, Research Institute of Sustainable Technology Innovation and Consulting (RISTI) Director Usun Lee and representatives of the organizations.
One of the main areas discussed was the development of research infrastructure. The sides also considered expanding clinical and preclinical research and implementing the Smart Biocluster project.
Particular attention was paid to training highly qualified specialists, as well as introducing digital technologies and artificial intelligence-based solutions into the healthcare system.
Azizov said South Korea is one of Uzbekistan’s important strategic partners in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. He said implementing joint initiatives is important for the development of science, innovation and biotechnology.
The South Korean representatives highly evaluated the reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan in healthcare and pharmaceuticals, as well as the initiatives presented at the meeting. They noted opportunities to expand cooperation into new areas.
The Agency for the Development of the Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry was established under Presidential Decree No. UP-5229 of 7 November 2017, “On Measures to Fundamentally Improve the Pharmaceutical Industry Management System.”
The agency’s main responsibilities include developing and implementing sustainable development strategies for the pharmaceutical industry, studying the pharmaceutical market, analysing the availability of pharmaceutical products for the population and healthcare institutions, and preparing proposals to expand the domestic market and localize production.
The agency also facilitates cooperation between industry enterprises and leading foreign pharmaceutical companies, the development of new pharmaceutical products, and the introduction of international best practices and standards.
In addition, the agency regulates pharmaceutical activities through licensing, coordinates the introduction of an information system for monitoring and tracking the movement of pharmaceutical products, and participates in developing the production of medicines, medical devices and medical equipment.
Its responsibilities also include training pharmaceutical specialists in line with international educational standards and coordinating the activities of the Directorate of the Tashkent Pharma Park Innovative Scientific and Production Pharmaceutical Cluster.
