The system of procurement of medicines via international organizations, offered by the Government, allowed in 2016 alone to economize on the procurement of vaccines almost $ 17 million, said Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman at a Government’s meeting Wednesday.

"I have an announcement: through the mechanisms of purchases of medications through international organizations we saved back in 2016 by purchasing vaccines through UNICEF the sum worth $ 17 million", stressed Volodymyr Groysman.

He accentuated that earlier without an international procurement system such savings would have been impossible, and all the saved money "would have been apportioned among dealers".

"Hence, now the funding to the tune of $ 17 million will be directed to the purchase of new medicines for Ukrainian citizens. This is the way we are going to prolong. And [the answer to] those who are trying to derail us is they will not succeed... Almost UAH 6 billion will be spent this year on the purchase of medicines to deliver to the people who need them", stressed the Head of Government.

He also drew attention to the fact that apart from activities aimed to ensure money saving, the work is underway to control the quality of drugs, to select the nomenclature of drugs and medical purpose goods. Peculiar attention, according to the Head of the Government, is paid to the introduction of up-to-date treatment protocols. "[It is crucial] to act correctly and the situation will improve", said Volodymyr Groysman, adding that it is quite possible to increase life expectancy in Ukraine throughout 3-4 years by pursuing smart policies in the healthcare sector.