AFDA and Uzbekistan Discuss Expanding Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Cooperation

During a visit to Uzbekistan, the Director of Medicines and Health Products Regulation of the Afghanistan Food and Drug Authority, Mawlawi Abdul Basir Qanih, together with a technical delegation, met with Mr. Abdullah Azizov, Director of the Agency for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry of Uzbekistan.

During the meeting, both sides held comprehensive discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector, facilitating market access for Uzbek pharmaceutical companies in Afghanistan, enhancing drug registration procedures, improving the mechanisms for conducting inspections in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, streamlining regulatory processes, and expanding bilateral trade.

During the meeting, the delegation from the AFDA visited several Uzbek pharmaceutical companies to observe their quality management systems, manufacturing processes, and compliance with established standards. The delegation also commended the quality of the products and praised the reforms implemented in Uzbekistan’s pharmaceutical sector.

Additionally, both sides discussed strengthening laboratory infrastructure, enhancing human resource capacity through specialist training, promoting the exchange of expertise in regulatory and inspection matters, and expanding technical and professional cooperation between the two countries.

At the end of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening and sustaining cooperation in the pharmaceuticals and healthcare products sector, supporting the presence and activities of manufacturing companies in both markets, and continuing discussions on joint, high-impact initiatives. They also expressed their readiness to further enhance bilateral cooperation in this field.