“Revolution” in the pharmaceutical market: how Ukrainians will save on medicines from March 1
26 February 15:35
ANALYSIS
The availability of medicines in Ukraine is an issue of concern to millions of citizens. Recently, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine adopted a decision aimed at reducing the price of medicines. The relevant presidential decree has already been enacted, and the government has begun implementing a number of measures to stabilize the pharmaceutical market. What will change for Ukrainians? What medicines have become free? Details in the article of Komersant ukrainskyi
One of the main steps was the regulation of markups on medicines. Read about it in our exclusive commentary
“The decision contains a clear step-by-step plan to reduce and stabilize prices for medicines. In particular, it provides for the introduction of a number of regulations to ensure transparent pricing and proper competition in the pharmaceutical market,”
– explains Natalia Lisnevska
Clear restrictions have been set on the pharmacy margin: it cannot exceed 25% of the purchase price. In addition, the government has banned the practice of marketing payments that could artificially inflate the cost of medicines.
“Any marketing services for the promotion of medicines are prohibited until the reference pricing is launched,”
– Lisniewska adds.
Another important step was the resumption of inspections in pharmacy chains. Control over pricing is being strengthened to avoid speculation and ensure fair prices for consumers.
Special attention was paid to medicines financed by the state.
To make medicines more affordable, the government has reached an agreement with business to reduce prices. In particular, it was agreed to reduce the selling prices of 100 most popular drugs by 30% starting March 1.
“The signatories have agreed to reduce the selling prices of 100 most popular Ukrainian medicines by 30% starting March 1,”
– Lisnevska said.
The 100 most popular medicines, i.e. those that, according to analytical data, are most often purchased by Ukrainians, include 20 items manufactured by Darnitsa, 17 items by Farmak, 22 items by Kyiv Vitamin Plant, 5 items by Kusum Farm, 6 items by Yuria-Pharm, 8 items by Arterium Corporation, 2 items by Viola Pharmaceutical Factory, 3 items by Borshchahivskiy Chemical and Pharmaceutical Plant, and 10 items by InterChem.
In particular, the list includes medicines used for coughs and colds, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic drugs, vitamins and minerals, blood pressure medicines, anti-ulcer drugs, sedatives, eye drops, nasal sprays, and others. A detailed list is available here. Prices will be reduced starting March 1, 2025.
I would like to add that starting from January 1, 2025, the government is expanding the reimbursement program “Affordable Medicines”. In accordance with the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1380 dated December 3, 2024, the list of medicines subject to reimbursement has been supplemented with 52 new trade names, 23 of which are combination drugs.
Читайте нас у Telegram: головні новини коротко
New areas of reimbursement
The updated list includes medicines for the treatment of the following diseases
- cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (combinations)
- diseases of the endocrine system;
- metabolic, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases;
- glaucoma
- migraine;
- diseases in children;
- anesthesia and palliative care.
Only primary care physicians – family doctors, general practitioners and pediatricians – can prescribe drugs from the new list. Starting from July 2025, all pharmacies that retail medicines will be obliged to enter into an agreement with the NHSU to participate in the reimbursement program.
“These medicines should be provided to patients in hospitals free of charge,”
– emphasizes Lisnevska.
Control over their availability is being strengthened to ensure that patients actually receive medicines without additional costs.
Why are the prices for medicines different?
Many Ukrainians have noticed that the price of the same drug can vary significantly from one pharmacy to another. This is due to market factors: procurement time, currency fluctuations, and logistics costs.
“The same drug in different pharmacy chains has a different price due to different procurement conditions, logistics costs, and other factors,”
– explains Lisnevska.
The government seeks to make drug prices more stable by introducing reference pricing. Today, certain restrictions on marketing have been introduced until a national list is created and prices are brought in line with reference prices, the former deputy minister emphasizes.
Thus, the measures taken by the government are aimed at making medicines more affordable for Ukrainians. Control over pricing, abolition of marketing payments and agreements with manufacturers will help stabilize the situation in the pharmaceutical market. In the near future, prices for the most popular medicines are expected to decrease, and in the future, a transparent pricing system will be created to ensure fair prices for all citizens.
