Ukrainian patients with cancer will be able to receive three new innovative drugs free of charge. The government has expanded the list of drugs purchased under managed access agreements, a modern mechanism that allows the state to purchase high-cost drugs at prices agreed with manufacturers.
The updated list includes three drugs that have already proven effective in treating complex forms of cancer. Palbociclib will help women with widespread hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. In combination with hormone therapy, it slows the progression of the disease and improves the quality of life of patients. Inotuzumab ozogamicin is intended for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, significantly increasing the chances of patients achieving remission and awaiting transplantation. The third drug, gemtuzumab ozogamicin, will be used in acute myeloid leukaemia, increasing the effectiveness of standard chemotherapy and survival rates.
The mechanism of managed access agreements (MAAs) allows the state to negotiate with manufacturers on an acceptable price for the budget without compromising the quality of treatment. Thanks to such agreements, purchases are made by the State Enterprise ‘Medical Procurements of Ukraine’, which has already signed a three-year contract with the supplier of these drugs. The first deliveries are expected by the end of the year.
The new drugs will be another step towards expanding Ukrainians’ access to modern cancer therapy and improving treatment outcomes in oncology.
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