On April 17th, a forum was held on the "Affordable Medicines" program, where one of the 5 invited NGOs was Epiprosvita. We are sharing the main conclusions from the event.
The event was organized by the National Health Service of Ukraine in cooperation with the USAID Health Reform Support Project and gathered key health care figures: representatives of NGOs, pharmaceutical companies, doctors, and international partners to discuss the development and digitalization of medical services in Ukraine. Specifically:
- Development of the transformation of primary medical care in Ukraine. Special attention was given to increasing the accessibility of medications in remote settlements.
- The critical importance of the "Affordable Medicines" program, especially in the context of providing medicines to war-affected territories. A pilot project was initiated in collaboration with Ukrposhta, which allows for free delivery of medicines to de-occupied and front-line areas.
- The issue of reimbursement for medications not covered by the program, and an initiative to restore the operation of nurse-midwife posts with pharmacy points, to reduce the distance to pharmacies for residents of remote settlements.
- The lack of awareness among patients and doctors about the opportunities and advantages offered by the program. As part of this, it was proposed to conduct information campaigns to increase public awareness.
- The existing difference between prices set by state standards and actual prices in pharmacies was a significant challenge that requires urgent steps to resolve. In this context, there was a voiced need to review regulations to ensure greater transparency and fairness in the formation of drug prices. The existing resolution regarding payment for medications from local budgets needs to be updated, as the medical system of Ukraine has been radically reformed since its creation.
- An important aspect of the forum discussion was the use of paper prescriptions in front-line areas, where there are often interruptions in electricity and mobile communication. This innovation allows doctors to prescribe paper prescriptions, which pharmacies accept alongside electronic ones, ensuring patients have access to necessary medications even under difficult conditions. Expanding this practice to more areas in Ukraine is one of the key directions for further work of the program.
Also, plans for implementing international medical protocols and guidelines to expand the list of drugs within the "Affordable Medicines" program were actively discussed. Updating protocols and including the latest guidelines should help in better medication selection, including combination drugs and extended-release medications, meeting contemporary treatment requirements and patient needs. All forum participants confirm from their practice the necessity to expand the lists and change the principle of selecting medications most often needed by Ukrainians. From Epiprosvita, the importance of access to Frisium and Ethosuximide drugs was noted as part of the advocacy campaign within the project "ZNAK – We Change, Teach, Advocate, Mentor Inclusively", which is implemented by the Strong League NGO with technical support from UN Women in Ukraine and funded by the UN Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF).
* However, this does not mean that the views and content expressed in it are officially approved or recognized by the United Nations. The UN Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) is a flexible and operational funding tool that supports quality measures to enhance the capacity of local women in conflict prevention, crisis response, and emergency situations, and to use key peacebuilding opportunities.
All the changes discussed at the forum are aimed at improving the accessibility and quality of medical care, with a particular focus on the needs of residents of remote and front-line territories, ensuring their reliable access to medical services and medications.
Plans were outlined to increase the number of mobile pharmacy points and lower the requirements for their operation. This will ensure necessary medications for a broader community across Ukraine, especially in areas where access to medical facilities is complicated. Expanding the network of mobile pharmacies can play a key role in ensuring the continuity of medical care, particularly for chronic patients and individuals in remote regions.
A particularly important issue raised at the forum was the need to raise public awareness about the opportunities and advantages of the "Affordable Medicines" program. It was determined that increasing patient and doctor awareness could significantly improve the program's effectiveness. For this purpose, a series of informational campaigns were proposed, including using successful cases of using the program, which will be highlighted in the media. It is planned that such campaigns will not only improve information accessibility but also motivate citizens to actively use the program's benefits, thereby increasing the overall health level of the population.
In conclusion, this forum provided participants not only the opportunity to exchange experiences and ideas but also to formulate concrete steps for further enhancement of healthcare in Ukraine. The importance of these discussions and decisions cannot be underestimated, as they directly affect the lives and health of millions of Ukrainians.
* The NGO representative at the forum was Olga Novikova, community and project manager of the organization.
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