Ukraine Adds 260 Drugs to Affordable Heart Health Program

The Ukrainian Ministry of Health added 260 new medications to the “Accessible Medicines” reimbursement program, focusing on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. 173 of these will be available for free, while 87 require partial payment by the patient. The medications cover conditions like high blood pressure, heart failure, and prevention of strokes and heart attacks.

This expansion marks the largest update to the program in the cardiovascular field and the second this year. The Ministry of Health also introduced a new support mechanism prioritizing domestically produced drugs that meet quality standards and offer the lowest prices, with 102 Ukrainian-made medications already included.

Since the “Accessible Medicines” program launched in 2019, 6.43 million Ukrainians have benefited, and as of July 2024, the program now covers 1038 medications available at 17,470 pharmacies nationwide. This initiative aims to improve access to essential heart medications and bolster the Ukrainian pharmaceutical industry.