The Largest Expansion of the “Affordable Medicines” Program: 260 More Drug Names Have Been Added to the Program
19 July 16:11
The “Affordable Medicines” reimbursement program has been expanded for the second time since the beginning of 2026. An additional 260 brand-name drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases have been added to the program. 173 of them will be dispensed free of charge, and another 87 will require a partial copayment. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian", citing the Ministry of Health.
The updated list of medications is available on the National Health Service of Ukraine (NSZU) website.
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These include medications for controlling blood pressure, preventing heart attacks and strokes (statins and anticoagulants), as well as for treating chronic heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and heart rhythm disorders. Patients can now receive electronic prescriptions for these new medications.
“Cardiovascular diseases account for 68% of deaths among Ukrainians, although experts estimate that up to 80% of these cases could be prevented through timely identification of risk factors, prevention, and proper treatment. In response to this challenge, the government is implementing a set of measures that form a unified “Healthy Heart” approach. These include the “Health Screening 40” program, aimed at prevention and early detection of risks; an increase in reimbursement rates for cardiac surgery under the Medical Guarantees Program; free elective coronary stenting; and ensuring patients have access to necessary medications. Following its update, the “Affordable Medicines” reimbursement program now covers the full spectrum of evidence-based outpatient treatment for cardiovascular diseases in accordance with the recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology. “For patients, this means that necessary treatment can be received free of charge or with a partial copay, so that financial considerations do not become a barrier to regular therapy,” said Ukrainian Health Minister Viktor Lyashko.
As part of this expansion of the program, a separate support mechanism has been introduced for the first time for medications manufactured in Ukraine. If a Ukrainian manufacturer offers a medication that meets the established requirements and has the lowest price, it may be given priority when the medication is included in the program. This approach stimulates the development of the Ukrainian pharmaceutical industry and helps ensure a stable supply of necessary medicines to patients. Under this mechanism, 67 single-ingredient and 35 combination medicines produced in Ukraine have been included in the program.
Since the “Affordable Medicines” reimbursement program began in 2019, 6.43 million Ukrainians have already benefited from it. In the first two quarters of 2026 alone, more than 2.56 million patients received medications through the program, and pharmacies filled 9.6 million electronic prescriptions.
As of July 2026, the program covers 1,038 items. These include 771 medications, 172 combination medications, 59 insulin preparations, and 36 types of medical devices, including test strips for measuring blood glucose levels.
Medications under the program are dispensed by 17,470 pharmacies nationwide.
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