[The pharmaceutical insurance as a mean to overcome to overcome inequality in access to health care of population in Kazakhstan].

ABSTRACT

This article investigates readiness of Kazakhstan's population for implementation of pharmaceutical insurance system to overcome inequalities in health care accessibility. The primary data was obtained using questionnaire survey of 5 819 respondents in 17 regions of Kazakhstan in August-October 2022. The data was analyzed by software SPSS 25.0 applied for processing statistical and typology analysis, classification and comparative analysis. The results demonstrated that subjective readiness, per capita family income, urban/rural residence, education, field of employment, gender and health status are factors affecting population's readiness for implementation of new pharmaceutical insurance system. The study identified average degree of readiness of population to new pharmaceutical insurance system. However, 30% of respondents had no clearly formed opinion. The study concluded that implementing pharmaceutical insurance system with 50% of state co-financing in Kazakhstan is feasible to reduce inequalities in accessing essential medications. The Ministry of Health Care of Kazakhstan is advised to organize regular health education activities in population related to compulsory and voluntary health insurance to ensure successful implementation of the new system.