Misryoum reports AFM has finished investigating a case involving inflated prices for rare-disease medicines and alleged state losses.
A major probe into alleged overpricing of vital medicines has reached its endpoint, with Misryoum reporting that Kazakhstan’s AFM has completed the investigation.
The case focuses on drug purchases for patients with a rare condition, specifically treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. According to AFM, the matter involved significant harm tied to procurement decisions.
In Misryoum’s account, investigators centered their attention on TОО “Interpharmservice,” which had been the country’s sole supplier of these medicines for five years.
This matters because when medicines for rare diseases become entangled in pricing schemes, the impact can go well beyond budgets, affecting access for patients and trust in procurement.
Misryoum says the investigation alleges the company bypassed price limits set by the manufacturer. It also points to a structure registered in the UAE that, according to the case materials, was used to route transactions.
As framed by AFM in Misryoum’s reporting, fictitious deals were meant to artificially raise the cost of the medicines supplied to Kazakhstan’s medical organizations while concealing the true price.
AFM claims that the state suffered damage amounting to 3.7 billion tenge. The investigation also alleges that company leadership moved funds through non-genuine operations involving individual entrepreneurs, with the aim of hiding proceeds and avoiding taxes.
Misryoum adds that AFM stated more than 4 billion tenge was cashed out, and that the company allegedly evaded taxes totaling over 637 million tenge.
Officials also say the proceeds from alleged unlawful actions were used to acquire substantial assets. Currently, 32 apartments, 11 cars, and 8 residential houses are under arrest, and confiscation is planned.
At the same time, Misryoum reports that preventive measures have been selected for three suspects: two are under house arrest and one was released on bail, with the parties already beginning to review the case materials.
This outcome is significant not only for the individuals involved but also for the wider integrity of procurement systems for medicines, especially in cases where rare-disease patients depend on stable access.