The government has updated the list of medicines: what will change for Ukrainians
9 October 01:12
The Government of Ukraine has amended the National List of Essential Medicines by adding 27 new active substances and their combinations in different dosages. This was announced by Health Minister Viktor Lyashko in his post on social media, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
The update of the list is aimed at increasing the availability of clinically effective and cost-effective drugs for public procurement and reimbursement programs, in particular under the “Affordable Medicines” program.
What has changed in the National List?
The updated list focuses on the treatment of key groups of diseases that are most common among Ukrainians:
- Cardiovascular diseases: modern medicines for the treatment of arterial hypertension and heart failure, as well as atorvastatin for cholesterol control, have been added.
- Endocrinology: octreotide for the treatment of acromegaly was added.
- Mental health: updated olanzapine doses for more accurate treatment of psychotic and bipolar disorders.
- Infectious Diseases: Caspofungin was added to treat severe fungal infections.
These changes are an important step in providing Ukrainians with quality medicines that meet modern medical standards.
Preparation for preventive screenings from 2026
The update of the National List of Medicines is coordinated with the preparations for the launch of the preventive health screening program, which will start in 2026. This program will be aimed at citizens aged 40 and over and provides for early detection of diseases, including cardiovascular, endocrinological and mental disorders.
According to Viktor Liashko, after passing the screening, patients will be able to receive medicines prescribed by a doctor from the updated list free of charge or with a partial co-payment by electronic prescription under the “Affordable Medicines” program. This will greatly facilitate access to the necessary treatment for Ukrainians, especially those with chronic diseases.
The Affordable Medicines Program: New Perspectives
The next stage will be the inclusion of new medicines in the Affordable Medicines Program. This will allow Ukrainians to receive medicines by e-prescription in a convenient way, which is especially important for people with chronic diseases. The Affordable Medicines program has already proven its effectiveness by providing millions of Ukrainians with free or partially reimbursed medicines.
Updating the list and integrating it with the screening program is part of the Ministry of Health’s strategy to improve the quality of medical services and access to medicines. According to Lyashko, this decision will help make the prevention and treatment of the most common diseases more accessible to Ukrainians.
Why is it important?
Cardiovascular diseases remain one of the leading causes of death in Ukraine, and mental health problems are becoming more and more urgent due to the war and economic challenges. Updating the National List allows the state to procure modern and effective medicines that will help diagnose and treat these diseases in a timely manner.
In addition, the launch of preventive screenings in 2026 will facilitate early detection of diseases, which can significantly reduce the number of complications and improve the quality of life of Ukrainians.
