DYNAMICS AND REGIONAL FEATURES OF PREFERENTIAL DRUG PROVISION FOR OUTPATIENTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN

Introduction. This article presents the results of a retrospective analysis of preferential drug provision for outpatient patients in the Republic of Uzbekistan (RUz) over the period from 2021 to 2025. Based on reports from the Dori-Darmon pharmacy network, the dynamics of prescription dispensing and funding volumes were examined. The monitoring results revealed a decrease in the quantitative indicators of dispensed prescriptions alongside an increase in overall expenditures. This trend demonstrates a shift from an extensive to an intensive model of pharmaceutical provision. A significant increase in the average cost of a single preferential prescription was identified. The main financial burden within the system is associated with oncology, endocrinology, and hemodialysis services. Materials and methods. This paper describes the findings of the retrospective analysis conducted on the preferential provision of pharmaceuticals (referred to as ‘LO’) based on existing objective structural and statistical parameters for the years 2021 through 2025 in the Republic of Uzbekistan. The analysis examined the dynamics of issuing prescriptions; the volume of financial funding received from the state (in both material as well as monetary form); and the average total cost of prescriptions by region and type of disease (nosology). All data were obtained primarily from the Dori-Darmon JSC pharmacy chain's 2021 summary reports (the last available report at the time of conducting this research). Results. The report showed a significant decline in the number of prescriptions written over the five-year period – a decrease of 89,104 prescriptions in total during that same time frame. While this decrease occurred despite an increase in total costs from approximately $2,15 million in 2023 to $2,51 million in 2025, it is also notable that as there is now a shift from an extensive model of LO to an intensive model of LO. The average cost of 1 preferential prescription was dramatically increased from about $4,28 in 2021 to about $5,71 in 2025. The main factors driving these increases were the number of patients requiring hemodialysis; additionally, as more dollars have been made available for oncology treatment, those patients are now using prescription medications rather than hospital-based services. Conclusion. Currently, oncology, endocrinology and psychiatry account for the majority of the financial strain within the system. Nosologically and regional divergence creates the need for the introduction of new budget planning tools and to allocate expenditures appropriately.