Society

Affordable medicines for patients: the Ministry of Health told whether it is legal to buy them in pharmacies

Medicines procured at the expense of the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU) or centrally through the state budget should be available to patients without payment. Any demands from medical institutions or doctors to purchase such medicines on their own are illegal and unacceptable, Health Minister Viktor Lyashko said during a meeting on March 7, Komersant ukrainskyi reports.

The head of the relevant ministry noted that Ukraine has government programs that provide people with the necessary medicines free of charge. Therefore, doctors cannot require patients or their relatives to go to pharmacies and buy these drugs “according to the list”.

To eliminate such incidents, the Ministry of Health plans to introduce a set of measures, including the creation of state-owned pharmacies at hospitals that will operate at minimum prices.

What will change for patients after the establishment of hospital pharmacies?

Several key aspects will change for patients after the establishment of hospital pharmacies:

1. Reduction in the cost of medicines.

Hospital pharmacies will operate without commercial markups, which are usually set by private pharmacies. This will significantly reduce the cost of medicines, especially for those who buy medicines regularly.

2. Possibility to receive free medicines

Patients treated in state or municipal healthcare facilities that have contracts with the NHSU will be able to receive the necessary medicines free of charge under the Medical Guarantee Program.

3. Transparency in the distribution of medicines

Hospital pharmacies will operate in accordance with state standards, which will ensure clear control over the distribution of medicines and prevent their shortage or misuse.

4. Enhanced control over the observance of patients’ rights

Patients will no longer be illegally forced to buy medicines at their own expense if they should be provided free of charge. State regulatory authorities will monitor violations.

5. Less influence of private pharmacies in hospitals

Private pharmacy chains will no longer have a monopoly in medical institutions, which will promote fair competition and lower prices.

6. Simplified access to medicines

Patients will be able to receive the necessary medicines directly at the hospital without having to search for pharmacies in the city.

Affordable Medicines Program: what you need to know

This program allows you to receive medicines free of charge or with a small co-payment for outpatient treatment of diseases such as

• cardiovascular diseases;

• diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus;

• chronic diseases of the lower respiratory tract;

• mental and behavioral disorders;

• epilepsy

• parkinson’s disease;

• palliative care;

• post-transplantation period.

To use the program, you need to get an electronic prescription from the doctor with whom you signed the declaration and go to a pharmacy marked “Affordable Medicines.”