WHO Experts Conduct Final Assessment of Kazakhstan's Drug Regulatory System

A final evaluation mission by experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) has commenced in Astana to assess Kazakhstan's national system for regulating medicines. This concluding visit is part of the Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT) process and represents a decisive stage in determining the maturity level of the country's regulatory framework.

The outcome of this mission will determine whether Kazakhstan is granted a maturity level 3 status. This designation confirms that a nation's regulatory mechanisms align with international standards and demonstrate sustainable institutional effectiveness.

Currently, Kazakhstan holds a maturity level 2 rating. The GBT system uses a four-tier scale for assessment. According to WHO data, only 36 countries have achieved levels 3 or 4, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, and most European Union member states.

Achieving level 3 would signify international recognition of Kazakhstan's consistent modernization of pharmaceutical regulation. It would validate the strengthening of supervisory functions, increased procedural transparency, and successful integration into the global architecture for ensuring drug quality and safety.

Successfully passing this international benchmarking is viewed as a strategic move to bolster confidence in the national control system. It is also expected to expand the export potential of domestic pharmaceutical products and attract further investment into the sector.