In Ukraine, a mandatory rule will be introduced for all pharmacies: what will change from July 1.

From July 1, 2025, all pharmacy establishments in Ukraine will be required to participate in the 'Affordable Medicines' program. This was reported by Health Minister Viktor Lyashko. Refusal to participate in the program will be grounds for revocation of the pharmacy's license.

From March to June this year, Ukrainians purchased over 38 million packages of medications at reduced prices, saving 832 million hryvnias in the process.

Effectiveness of the Measures

This price reduction became possible due to a decision by the National Security and Defense Council, which President Volodymyr Zelenskyi enacted in February. At that Time, the largest manufacturers signed a declaration to reduce prices on a hundred of the most popular medications, and later the list was expanded by more than 200 items.

The 'Affordable Medicines' program covers a wide range of diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and palliative care. Since the beginning of the year, pharmacies have received compensations from the National Health Service of Ukraine totaling 3.1 billion hryvnias.

At the same time, the Ministry of Health has strengthened control over the availability of medications in hospitals operating under the Medical Guarantees Program. Over three months, medical institutions purchased medications totaling over 3.6 billion hryvnias through the electronic catalog.

Development Directions

The Ministry is also finalizing the formation of the National Price Catalog, which has already included all medications from the National List. In the future, prescription drugs will also be added. Prices are set based on a reference principle based on average indicators in European Union countries.

Lyashko emphasized that all changes are aimed at protecting the interests of patients and ensuring transparency in pharmaceutical pricing.

Thanks to the 'Affordable Medicines' program, the number of people in Ukraine who can purchase medications at affordable prices has significantly increased. The positive impact on the healthcare sector and the overall health of the nation is already becoming noticeable.

The emergence of the 'Affordable Medicines' program in Ukraine has significantly increased the availability of medicines for the population. The substantial economic effect resulting from the program indicates its successful implementation and positive impact on the healthcare sector of the country. The system of price control on medications and the availability of transparent accounting mechanisms contribute to improving the quality of medical services and the overall health status of citizens.