The Affordable Medicines programme includes 532 medicines and medical devices that patients can receive free of charge or with a small surcharge.
229 of them are for patients with cardiovascular diseases.
“Affordable Medicines” is a programme that allows Ukrainians with chronic diseases to receive the necessary medicines and medical devices free of charge or with a partial co-payment. The National Health Service of Ukraine reimburses the pharmacy directly. The programme reduces the financial burden on patients and increases the availability of medicines.
“Over the past 5 years, 4.7 million Ukrainians have received medicines free of charge or with a small surcharge. Currently, 14,803 pharmacies have reimbursement agreements with the NHSU. “Affordable Medicines is undoubtedly one of the most successful models of public-private partnership. It is also an example of the state’s concern for those Ukrainians who need to take medicines on a regular basis due to chronic diseases,” says Natalia HUSAK, Head of the NHSU.
Currently, the programme includes 532 medicines and medical devices, 229 of which are for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, including the prevention of heart attacks and strokes. Of these, 48 patients can receive them without a co-payment, and 181 with a co-payment. Since the beginning of 2024, 79,139 patients with cardiovascular diseases have filled their prescriptions for “Affordable Medicines” in the Lviv region.
How to get free medicines and medical devices?
To start receiving medicines free of charge or with a partial co-payment, you need to:
1. Visit your primary care doctor. The doctor will write an electronic or paper prescription based on the examination and diagnosis. The prescription will include the international generic name of the drug (INN).
2. You can apply for a prescription at any pharmacy, regardless of your place of registration. The main condition is that you have a contract with the NHSU. You can identify such a pharmacy by the “Affordable Medicines” sticker. Remember: a prescription is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.
3. Show the prescription to the pharmacist. He or she will suggest available medicines that contain the required active ingredient. He or she will also tell you which medicines are completely free of charge and which ones require an additional payment. The NHSU will reimburse the pharmacy for the cost of the medicine.
Finding a pharmacy with “Affordable Medicines” will help:
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NHS dashboard:https://edata.e-health.gov.ua/
e-data/dashboard/pharmacy-map -
“Ask Hrytsia” chatbot: Telegram @SpytaiGrytsia_bot, Viber: https://chats.viber.com/
spytaigrytsia -
the NHSU contact centre at 16-77.
Where can I see the list of medicines of the “Affordable Drugs” program?
You can find the medicines and medical devices subject to reimbursement under the “Affordable Medicines” programme in the Order of the Ministry of Health No. 279 “On Approval of the Lists of Medicines and Medical Devices Subject to Reimbursement under the State Guarantees of Medical Care for the Population as of 12 February 2024”: https://cutt.ly/lw4bfkzQ.
Upload the required file. It will contain a complete list of medicines or medical devices, their international name (i.e., the name of the active ingredient), trade name of the medicine, the name of the manufacturer, and the amount of the co-payment for each dose – zero or a certain amount.
You can check which medicines are included in the “Affordable Medicines” programme with the help:
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website or the “Medicines Control” application: https://likicontrol.com.ua/;
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chatbot “Ask Hrytsia”: https://t.me/SpytaiGrytsia_bot
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The “Affordable Medicines” programme includes medicines recommended by the World Health Organisation and used worldwide.