The Cabinet of Ministers is expanding and updating the Affordable Medicines programme as part of the winter support package. Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal announced the relevant decisions at a meeting on 10 December.

According to him, over 5 million Ukrainians have benefited from this programme over the past 5 years, with 15,000 pharmacies involved and almost 600 medicines available.

“Now the programme is being updated. First, we are adding new medicines to the list. These are 30 new active substances. In particular, medicines for rheumatological, neurological, eye and endocrinological diseases,” said Denys Shmyhal.

According to him, the programme will also be expanded to cover children and include medicines in the form of drops and ointments.

In addition, the network of pharmacies involved in the programme will be expanded. In particular, all pharmacies operating in hospitals will join the programme.

“We will oblige pharmacies to offer customers the lowest price for medicines, taking into account the active ingredient,” the Head of Government noted, adding that the Winter eSupport programme would provide an opportunity to purchase medicines made in Ukraine.

According to the Prime Minister, the state budget for the next year earmarks UAH 6.6 billion for the Affordable Medicines programme.

He also emphasised that the Government was working to make medicines available in the most remote communities. In particular, the Cabinet of Ministers has already passed a resolution allowing the establishment of mobile pharmacies. They are already operating in 13 regions. There is also the possibility of Ukrposhta delivering medicines throughout the country, including to the frontline regions.

“The lives and health of Ukrainians are the highest value, the key to restoring human capital, successful reconstruction and growth,” said Denys Shmyhal, recalling that Ukraine would receive USD 454 million from the World Bank to finance a healthcare guarantee programme to ensure that all state health obligations were met.