Ukraine Medicine Accessibility Varies By Region

Prime Minister Yulia Sverdienko announced that cardiovascular disease medications will be added to the 'Accessible Medicine' program. Currently, the initiative includes 748 drug offers available across more than 17,000 pharmacies nationwide. The Ukrainian government is providing medical drugs for free or with a small co-payment through a new program. The initiative covers over 700 types of medications, including treatments for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, respiratory issues, epilepsy, mental health, Parkinson's, post-transplant needs, and analgesics. The program is described as gradually expanding its list of covered drugs. Patients can obtain electronic prescriptions through family doctors, therapists, pediatricians, or specialized physicians. Prescriptions can be ordered remotely via telephone or messaging services. Once a notification with a prescription number and confirmation code is received, patients can visit pharmacies marked with the 'Accessible Medicines' sign. The effectiveness of the 'Available Medicines' program varies significantly across different regions of Ukraine. While nearly 90% of electronic prescriptions issued by family doctors are fulfilled, many Ukrainians still face accessibility issues. These challenges are particularly acute for rural populations, according to the report. The Ministry of Health is reviewing the program's regional implementation.