The Ukrainian government has introduced important changes aimed at improving procurement in the healthcare sector, particularly in the areas of diagnostics and cancer treatment. These decisions are specifically focused on increasing the accessibility of medicines and cutting-edge diagnostic methods for Ukrainian citizens.
Read more: 2 billion hryvnias for school meals: nearly 800,000 students will receive quality lunches
Medical technology evaluation and managed access agreements
The main changes involve optimizing the state evaluation of medical technologies (OMT) and the process of concluding managed access agreements (MAA). These changes will make medical procurement more transparent and efficient, reducing administrative burdens and costs in the procurement process.
Negotiations for managed access agreements will now be conducted by groups formed by the Medical Procurement of Ukraine. This approach will ensure a clear distribution of responsibilities between the Ministry of Health and the authorized body. During negotiations, the recommendations and conclusions of the authorized OMT body will be used, ensuring additional objectivity and transparency in the process.
Expanding the list of medicines
Thanks to these new decisions, there are plans to expand the list of medicines procured under managed access agreements. One such new drug is “Emicizumab” — a medication used for the treatment of hemophilia. This will significantly reduce treatment costs and provide patients with more accessible and effective medicines.
Establishing laboratories for the synthesis of radiopharmaceuticals
Another important initiative is the creation of laboratories for the synthesis of radiopharmaceuticals in Ukraine. This step will allow the country to develop innovative diagnostic and treatment methods, particularly in oncology. Radioisotope imaging is a method that allows for the precise detection of tumors and inflammatory processes at early stages, when they may not be visible through other diagnostic methods. As a result, Ukrainians will be able to receive more accurate and timely diagnoses, which in turn will improve the effectiveness of treatment.
The project for creating such laboratories also provides for the possibility of advance payments for specialized equipment, which is custom-made. This will ensure the rapid implementation of the latest technologies and help meet the national demand for high-quality diagnostics and treatment.
Supporting national diagnostics
Medical Procurement of Ukraine has already started acquiring the necessary equipment for cancer diagnostics using radiopharmaceuticals. This step will provide Ukraine with access to modern imaging methods, enabling early detection of oncological diseases and reducing the number of cases where cancer is diagnosed at later stages.
Conclusion
Overall, these changes open up new opportunities to improve the quality of medical services in Ukraine, providing citizens with access to modern medicines and advanced diagnostic technologies. Increasing the efficiency of medical procurement and developing innovative treatment methods will undoubtedly help save the lives and health of many Ukrainians, particularly in the fight against cancer.
