Uzbekistan Probes Alleged Tying of Medicines to Drug Purchases

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan’s Committee for the Development of Competition and Consumer Protection is investigating cases in which buyers are allegedly required to purchase additional medicines when buying popular drugs in bulk.

The committee has warned importers and wholesale distributors that penalties may be imposed if violations are confirmed, the regulator said.

According to the committee, complaints on social media about the forced sale of additional medicines alongside high-demand drugs have increased recently. Such practices can harm the economic interests of small businesses, restrict their operations and undermine competition, the committee said.

During the first nine months of 2026, a total of 305 companies imported medicines into Uzbekistan. The five largest importers accounted for 47.2% of total imports.

The structure of the country’s pharmacy market has changed in recent years. In 2023, Uzbekistan had 13,744 pharmacies, including 521 wholesale outlets and 13,223 retail pharmacies. The retail network comprised 8,584 main pharmacies and 4,639 branches.

In 2024, the total number of pharmacies fell by 5.6% to 13,010. By 1 October 2026, the figure had risen to 14,598, including 449 wholesale outlets and 14,149 retail pharmacies. The retail network consisted of 7,940 main pharmacies and 6,209 branches.

Compared with 2023, the number of main retail pharmacies declined by approximately 8% amid mergers and closures, while the number of branches increased by 33.8%.

Under Article 14 of Uzbekistan’s Competition Law, dominant bargaining power is defined as the ability of a company or group of persons that does not hold a dominant market position to unilaterally influence transaction terms, the geographical area in which goods are sold or prices.

Article 18 identifies several practices that constitute abuse of such power. These include imposing discriminatory terms and reducing the volume of goods in circulation in ways that lead to price increases or harm consumer rights. Abuse also includes requiring a contractual partner to purchase or sell another product, or to refrain from dealing with other companies, as a condition of concluding an agreement.

Violations of competition law, including prohibiting or restricting the purchase or sale of competitors’ goods, may result in financial penalties. The sanction amounts to 5% of revenue from sales during the period of the violation, covering no more than the preceding three years.

If it is established that buyers were required to purchase unrequested medicines or other goods alongside high-demand drugs, and the practice is recognised as a violation of competition law, the companies concerned will face the penalties предусмотренные by law.