Changes to Ukraine's Accessible Medicines Program
- New medications added for chronic disease treatment
- Program expands to 621 medications over nine years
- Average price reduction of 20–50% for listed drugs
The Accessible Medicines program in Ukraine has been expanded, now incorporating new drugs aimed at treating cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and respiratory issues. According to pharmacy expert Nelya Byk from the Lviv regional health department, these enhancements aim to make chronic disease treatment more affordable.
Key Changes in the Program
On Lviv Media, Byk explained that the program, operational for nine years, started with just six medications and has now increased to 621, with a growing list of treatable conditions. The prices for included drugs typically decrease by 20–50%, as pharmacies are prohibited from raising prices above the established limits.
However, Byk pointed out that there are inconsistencies in the announcements regarding drug inclusions, expressing concern that promised medications often do not appear in the final lists.