The officials are accused of accepting bribes totaling more than 10 million Kazakh tenge (US$ 30,611.50), in return for allegedly issuing certificates of proper production and distribution practices.
They are also suspected of embezzling budget funds by overstating the cost of purchased medicines.
The Pharmacy Committee of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan is responsible for regulating the distribution of medicine throughout the country, as well as medical devices and equipment.
The committee holds a wide range of powers, including issuing permits for importing medicine and equipment to Kazakhstan, approving clinical research, implementing state regulations of medicine costs, suspending the use of a medicinal product, and generally ensuring compliance with the country’s health standards.
According to Kazinform, which cited the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Acting Chairman of the Pharmacy Committee Pak Larisa Yun-Boyevna, Director of the Department of Medical and Pharmaceutical Activity Control Committee in Pavlodar Region Kazhinova Zaure Shormanovna,Chief Specialist of the Pharmacy Committee for South-Kazakhstan Region Imamkhodzhaev, and Chief Expert of the Pharmacy Committee Ibraeva Danilya Kommuneevna were detained on July 3.
Three of the officials – Pak, Kazhinova and Imamkhodzhaev – were taken into custody, and Ibraeva has been placed under house arrest.
Kazinform also reported Monday that the executive director of a pharmaceutical company called NPO Zerde LLP was detained for paying bribes.
