Zelensky bans disguising drugs as dietary supplements: what the new law changes
3 April 2025 02:27
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed Law No. 4122-IX, which prohibits the misrepresentation of medicines as dietary supplements. The document, adopted to strengthen control over their production and sale, will come into force on September 27, 2025. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the Ministry of Health.
New rules for dietary supplements
Law No. 4122-IX clearly defines the concept of a “dietary supplement” and establishes the procedure for its introduction into circulation. The main goal is to eliminate the practice of disguising medicines as dietary supplements, which misleads consumers and threatens their health.
“Now it will be impossible to register medicines as dietary supplements,” the Ministry of Health notes.
In addition, the document increases liability for violations. For example, for providing false information about dietary supplements, legal entities will pay a fine of 55 minimum wages, and individual entrepreneurs will pay 45 minimum wages.
This should force manufacturers and sellers to follow fair rules of the game.
Dose limits and transition period
Within six months of the law’s entry into force, the Ministry of Health will approve a list of vitamins, minerals and other substances with maximum permissible doses for dietary supplements. Manufacturers that exceed these limits will also face fines.
A transition period is provided for the market to adapt.
Dietary supplements that met the old requirements but do not meet the new ones can be produced, imported and sold within a year after the law comes into force (until September 27, 2026). Their circulation is allowed until the expiration date, but not longer than three years.
Market operators must notify the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection of their intention to continue circulating such supplements within six months.
When will the law come into force?
The law will come into force the day after its publication and will be fully operational on September 27, 2025.
This gives businesses time to prepare for the new rules and bring their products in line with the standards.
Why is it important for Ukrainians?
The new rules protect consumers from low-quality dietary supplements and help distinguish them from medicines.
“Harmonization with European standards will increase the safety and transparency of the market,” the Ministry of Health emphasizes.
“Fines will be a deterrent to unscrupulous manufacturers, and clear composition standards will protect the health of Ukrainians.
