Ukrainian pharmaceutical companies agree to reduce drug prices
12 February 10:56
National manufacturers of medicines, distributors and pharmacies have signed a Declaration aimed at ensuring the availability of medicines for Ukrainian citizens by reducing the prices of medicines at all levels – from the Ukrainian manufacturer to the final retail sale. This was reported by the public union “Pharmacy Professional Association of Ukraine”, according to
The signatories of the declaration recognized the need to take immediate measures that will reduce drug prices and ensure the stability of the drug market. It is about coordinated actions of national pharmaceutical manufacturers that will reduce selling prices for the entire list of registered medicines, distributors that will reduce wholesale prices accordingly, i.e. apply a discount proportional to the manufacturer on their margins, and pharmacies that will reduce retail prices, providing the end consumer with a favorable offer.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies that signed the declaration also pledged to prevent hidden price increases or changes in supply chains that could offset the agreements.
The issue of drug prices is under the control of the authorities
It should be noted that the signing of the Declaration of National Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, Distributors and Pharmacies was actually a reaction to the Presidential Decree of February 5, which put into effect the NSDC decision of February 4, 2025 “On Further Implementation of Programs to Support Ukrainians on the Basis of Guaranteeing the Economic Stability of the State and Strengthening Measures to Clean Up the Financial System of Ukraine”.
This decision instructed the Cabinet of Ministers, among other things, to analyze the pricing of medicines together with the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine and take measures to ensure their affordability for Ukrainians, providing for the introduction of mechanisms to counteract the use of non-transparent pricing mechanisms, abuse of monopoly power and manifestations of unlawful restriction of competition, concerted actions and concentration in the pharmaceutical market.
On February 10, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his traditional video address, reported on a meeting held with the participation of government officials, which also addressed the issue of drug prices. According to the President, prices are absolutely inadequate and pharmacy chains and manufacturers should provide more comfortable conditions for customers. He announced that the National Security and Defense Council is preparing a meeting on this issue and very specific proposals aimed at reducing prices in the interests of people are being worked out.
The Ministry of Health has proposals on how to reduce prices
At the end of January, the Ministry of Healthcare held a discussion with all parties involved in the problem on how to improve state regulation of prices for medicines. For example, the Ministry proposes to introduce the Prozorro Market e-catalog as a tool for determining the indicative price of medicines. This will allow pharmacy chains to procure medicines at competitive prices, and patients to be sure that an affordable drug is always available.
According to the new rules, all pharmacies that sell medicines from the National List will be obliged to have in their assortment the drug with the lowest price determined through requests for proposals in Prozorro Market. Such requests will be made at least once a year.
Other important changes include updating the rules for advertising and promotion of medicines in accordance with EU directives. The Ministry of Health proposes to introduce the concept of “good promotional practice” to help prevent manipulation of consumers.
