Reform of the pharmaceutical market: First results of price reduction for imported medicines after declaration in the National Catalogue

The reform of the pharmaceutical sector in Ukraine is ongoing, aimed at reducing and stabilising the prices of medicines for Ukrainians. The relevant action plan was approved by the decision of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine dated 12 February 2024 "On Additional Measures to Ensure the Availability of Medicines for Ukrainians", which was put into effect by Presidential Decree No. 82/2025.

Since March, following agreements with Ukrainian pharmaceutical manufacturers, prices for about 300 domestic medicines have been reduced.

In addition, in February, amendments to the Law of Ukraine ‘On Medicinal Products’ were adopted, thus launching the implementation of the mechanism of reference and mandatory declaration of prices for medicinal products in the National Catalogue.

"The National Price Catalogue is being implemented in stages. Currently, the declaration of prices for medicines from the National List has been completed - these are effective medicines used to treat the most common diseases. Prices in pharmacies will change gradually, as manufacturers have to reassess the stocks of medicines already produced within four months. This is to avoid the risk of a shortage of drugs on the market. However, we are already seeing concrete results: prices for a number of drugs are falling. A simple example: previously, a package of foreign-made blood pressure medicines cost almost UAH 600, now it will cost about UAH 350. This is a significant saving. And this is a practical result of the reform and the mechanisms that prevent unreasonable overpricing of medicines," said Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko.

How the National Catalogue works

The National Catalogue is a register of maximum wholesale prices for manufacturers or importers.

Manufacturers and importers are obliged to declare maximum wholesale prices for medicines in the National Price Catalogue, which helps to avoid unreasonable price increases and ensure transparency of drug procurement.

At the same time, a system of reference prices for medicines is in place, based on price comparisons with the markets of 8 European countries - Poland, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Slovakia, Hungary, Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria.

The first stage has now been completed - the declaration of prices for medicines from the National List. These are essential medicines used to treat the most prevalent diseases.

The catalogue currently includes more than 2700 items:

419 - original (innovative) medicinal products;

383 - generic or biological products;

412 - medicinal products included in reimbursement programmes;

1511 - medicinal products subject to external review.

When patients can see the new prices

Prices in pharmacies are changing gradually. Manufacturers reassess stocks, but not for more than 4 months, and new batches of medicines are supplied at the new declared prices. This approach is aimed at preventing shortages and ensuring a gradual and reasonable reduction in prices.

If you don't see the new price yet, please check the production batch. The new prices apply to new supplies.

What's next?

The next steps are as follows:

- inclusion of prescription drugs outside the National List;

- expansion of the catalogue to include non-prescription drugs;

- regular updating and verification of prices.

The goal is to transparently and fairly regulate the cost of most medicines on the market. This will help avoid inflated prices, stimulate fair competition and make treatment more affordable.

More details can be found on the Ministry of Health of Ukraine official website.