The establishment of a state drug control body will help provide Ukrainians with quality, effective and safe medicines.

This was emphasised by Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko during a meeting with James Hope, USAID Mission Director in Ukraine, and representatives of the Safe, Affordable and Effective Medicines for Ukrainians (SAFEMed) project.

“I am grateful to the United States of America for all the help and support in the health sector, both in responding to the challenges of war and in developing the medical system in general. Together with the SAFEMed project, we are working to ensure that Ukrainians have access to quality and safe medicines. This includes developing appropriate changes in the regulation and financing of the pharmaceutical industry, and increasing the transparency and efficiency of drug procurement to improve availability. We have positive results – the number of people who receive the medicines they need free of charge in medical institutions or through the Affordable Medicines programme is increasing,” said Viktor Liashko.

During the meeting, the participants discussed strategic areas of cooperation in the field of pharmaceutical regulation and possible expansion of support from the SAFEMed project. First of all, they discussed the process of establishing two new institutions: an independent agency for the evaluation of medical technologies and a state control body that will implement the state policy in the field of creation, market authorisation, quality control, safety and efficacy of medicines. They also focused on the implementation of the state policy on the pricing of medicines and steps towards the introduction of a single pricing policy.

The Minister emphasised the importance of involving the best international experts in the establishment of the state control body. The process of forming the relevant advisory board is underway, with highly qualified specialists from Ukraine, other countries and international organisations being invited.