OBJECTIVES: To determine the level of availability and transparency of the drug provision system of Kazakhstani populationat the expense of the governmental budget and to detect the level of their satisfaction. METHODS: A total of 1236 patients filled the random anonymous questionnaire in polyclinics and hospitals in Almaty, East-Kazakhstani, Kzyl-Orda and Karaganda regions. The questionnaire consisted of 38 questions. RESULTS:   A total of 51.6 % of the patients were provided with drugs by the reduced price with the substitution coefficient of 0,5. Almost 47% of the patients were refused to be provided with medical assistance and drugs within the scope of the extent of the free guaranteed medical assistance; furthermore,  80,3% of the asked had to use additional amount of their own money during not only at the ambulatory but also at the hospital level. At the same time, it was unaffordable for 63,8% of the asked to buy drugs. A total of 57,9% of the patients defined the drug availability provided within the scope of the guaranteed free medical assistance as poor and unsatisfactory. Moreover, 76,8 %  claimed that several medicines were absent in the current and last year lists.   In order to protect their rights, the patients applied to medical organizations (27,9 %), to local public health services (21,9 %), to social patients protecting services (11,1 %), to courts (4,3 %) and others (17,1 %).  In 43,7% of cases doctors either had not explained their prescription or rarely -17,3 %. 42 % were dissatisfied with their doctors; moreover, 71,5 %  of the patients suggested that educational brochures containing information on the disease,  side effects of the prescribed medicines, etc. should be provided.    CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, there are problems with the drug provision within the scope of the guaranteed medical assistance which mainly concern with poor availability of medicines and low compliance.