In the Lviv Oblast, epilepsy drugs under the “Affordable Drugs” programme can be obtained in more than a thousand pharmacies
This was reported in a press release by the NHSU.
On 12 February, the world celebrates the International Day Against Epilepsy, a neurological disease that cannot be cured but can be controlled through regular medication.
In Ukraine, 65 medicines for the treatment of epilepsy, mental and behavioural disorders are included in the Affordable Medicines programme. 23 of them are available in pharmacies free of charge, and the rest are available with partial payment. The full list of medicines can be found here: https://cutt.ly/cwCOUAb4. In 2023, 3,105 people in the Lviv region have already received these medicines, which is the third highest number among all regions of Ukraine.
How do patients get these medicines?
Treatment for epilepsy can be prescribed by a neurologist or psychiatrist (including paediatricians). No referral is required to visit a psychiatrist: just choose a medical institution that has an agreement with the NHSU and make an appointment. To visit a neurologist, you need an electronic referral, which can be issued by a family doctor, general practitioner or paediatrician with whom you have signed a declaration.
The specialist doctor will then conduct all the necessary examinations to establish the diagnosis free of charge, and then draw up a treatment plan and enter it into the electronic healthcare system. Based on this plan, the doctor will issue an electronic prescription for “Affordable Medicines”. The next prescription can be written not only by a neurologist or psychiatrist, but also by a family doctor.
“Affordable Medicines” can be obtained by prescription at the nearest pharmacy participating in the programme. For example, in the Lviv region, 1,075 pharmacies and pharmacy outlets dispense medicines for the treatment of epilepsy, mental and behavioural disorders. The list of pharmacies can be found on the dashboard (Mental and Behavioural Disorders, Epilepsy Programme: https://cutt.ly/8wCOSvOk) or by calling the NHSU hotline at 16-77.