Changes offered to the procedure of preferential release of medicinal products
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine published draft resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine “On Amending Paragraph 1 of Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1303 as of August 17th, 1998” for public discussion.
The draft resolution offers to differentiate cases of getting by some categories of the population of medicinal products for free or at preferential prices under the government program “Affordable Medicines” and under Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine “On Ordering Free and Preferential Release of Medicinal Products Based on Doctor Prescription in Case of Out-Patient Treatment of Some Groups of Population and of Some Categories of Diseases” No. 1303 as of August 17th, 1998 (hereinafter – Resolution No. 1303).
In particular, it is offered to establish that free and preferential release of medicinal products based on Resolution No. 1303 will apply only to the drugs registered in Ukraine and included to industry standards in the healthcare sector, besides those released under the government program “Affordable Medicines”.
Development of the draft resolution was preconditioned by the fact that the List of Diseases for the Out-Patient Treatment of Which Medicines are Released for Free and on Preferential Conditions approved by Resolution No. 1303 includes diabetes (in particular type II) and bronchial asthma. Also, the “Affordable Medicines” program provides for reimbursement of medicines used for out-patient treatment of persons suffering from these diseases.
Thus, the same drug can be obtained for free or for co-payment under the program “Affordable Medicines” and Resolution no. 1303, which leads to irrational use of budget funds.
If the draft resolution is adopted, the changes will become effective on January 1st, 2019.
Connect with the author: Yulia Vykhrovska, Junior Associate at Legal Alliance Company, vykhrovska@l-a.com.ua
