Nurlanbek Akpysharov, director of the Osh Regional Center for Psychiatry and Narcology, drew attention to a serious problem: the distribution of narcotic substances through pharmacy outlets. According to him, the situation is cause for concern, since people can gain access to medications that are then used for non-medical purposes.

Rising non-medical use of medicines among young people

Akpysharov noted that the problem has become especially acute in Kyrgyzstan since 2022. The practice of using medications for non-medical indications is growing, and is particularly noticeable among adolescents and young people. The main concern is that the source of addiction is not only illegally distributed substances but also ordinary medicines available in pharmacies.

In reality, there is no proper oversight of the medicines intended to treat people, and they are turning into an aid to drug addiction.
According to sources, medicines are losing their medical control and becoming an auxiliary means of developing dependence.

Dynamics of requests for help

According to narcology specialists, the number of adolescents seeking help in connection with the use of "pharmacy" drugs is growing every year. Akpysharov presented the following data on the increase in the number of patients:

Number of adolescents seeking help

280adolescents in 2022
380adolescents in 2023
540adolescents in 2024

This situation is of serious concern to the medical community, educational institutions, parents and law enforcement agencies.

Prevention measures

Akpysharov stressed the need to raise awareness among the general public, as well as to strengthen control over the circulation of medications, in order to protect young people from this threat.

  • To the medical community
  • To educational institutions
  • To parents
  • To law enforcement agencies
  • To society as a whole

Overall, the problem requires a comprehensive approach from all structures involved in safeguarding public health.

  1. 1. Strengthening control over the dispensing of medicines.
  2. 2. Raising public awareness of the risks of non-medical use of medications.
  3. 3. Coordinating the efforts of medical, educational and law enforcement structures.
1main focus
pharmacy networkdistribution channel

Thus, the emphasis is on preventing medicines from falling into the hands of persons who use them for narcotic purposes.

  • Akpysharov N.T. — director of the Osh Regional Center for Psychiatry and Narcology