The Ministry of Health announced the largest expansion of the “Affordable Medicines” program. The list now includes 260 new trade names of medicines for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. This was reported by the Minister of Health, Viktor Liashko, on July 17. Patients can already receive electronic prescriptions for the new medications.
What patients receive
Of the 260 added items, 173 medications are dispensed free of charge, and 87 are available with partial payment. Doctors prescribe these medications in electronic format, and patients can pick them up at a pharmacy with an e-prescription without a separate paper document. The expansion of the list makes a wider range of cardiological medications available at the expense of the state or with a significant discount for patients, which is especially important for those who take these medications constantly.
Focus on cardiovascular diseases
According to the Ministry of Health, cardiovascular diseases cause 68% of all deaths in Ukraine. A significant portion of these cases can be prevented through early detection of risks, prevention, and regular treatment. Chronic heart diseases require continuous medication, and any interruptions in treatment increase the likelihood of complications. This statistics determined the direction in which the department is expanding access to therapy.
Healthy heart complex
The expansion of the list of medications is part of a broader approach called “Healthy Heart”. It combines several areas of work. The “Health Screening 40+” program is responsible for prevention and early detection of risks among older people. The state has increased tariffs for cardiac surgery and provides free planned and emergency stenting of heart vessels. The expanded access to medications through “Affordable Medicines” complements this set at the stage of outpatient treatment. These elements cover the path of a person from prevention to surgery and subsequent support at home.
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Compliance with European protocols
After the July update, “Affordable Medicines” covers the full range of outpatient evidence-based therapy for cardiovascular diseases in accordance with the recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology. A doctor can prescribe a patient medications provided for by modern clinical guidelines, and the state will compensate for their cost fully or partially.
Betting on Ukrainian manufacturers
During this expansion, a mechanism to support medications produced in Ukraine was applied for the first time. Under this mechanism, 67 single-component and 35 combined medications of domestic production were included in the program. This approach supports the local pharmaceutical industry and expands the range of medications that patients receive under the program.
Scale of the “Affordable Medicines” program and how to use it
After the update, the “Affordable Medicines” program covers 1,038 items that are dispensed by 17,470 pharmacies across the country. Since its launch, 6.43 million Ukrainians have used the program. The Ministry of Health will publish the full list of medications separately, and the nearest pharmacy where medications are dispensed with an e-prescription can be found through the NSZU dashboard “Electronic Map of Medication Dispensing Places with E-Prescription”. A patient just needs to contact a doctor for an electronic prescription, after which the medication becomes available at any pharmacy participating in the program.
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