Starting May 1, consumers in Uzbekistan will have access to a mobile application from the tax authorities that will help them check the prices of medicines.
With just a simple scan of the matrix QR code on the check in the application, consumers can easily compare the price of the medicine they purchased with the retail reference price in the Pharmaceutical Development Agency's information system. This innovative solution will ensure that consumers are not overcharged for their medications, and if any overcharging occurs, the public authority responsible for consumer protection will be notified immediately.
The head of the Committee for the Development of Competition and Consumer Protection, Dilmurod Botirov, emphasized that the pharmacy trade in Uzbekistan is regulated by the state, with the margin not exceeding 15% of the purchase price in wholesale trade and 20% of the wholesale price in retail trade. Thus, the seller will be fined if the purchase receipt exceeds the retail reference price.
In Q1 2023, the committee received 5,277 consumer complaints about housing and utilities, transport services, trade and catering, communications, finance, social services, advertising, and other matters. As a result, over 6,000 consumers whose rights were violated could recover UZS 2.1bn.
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