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Starting March 1st, Ukrainians were promised a reduction in prices for medications included in a list of the 100 most popular domestically produced drugs. However, while the price reduction may seem like a positive step, the content of this list raises doubts. The issue, however, is much deeper than just the question of price reduction.

The Ministry of Health's decree to reduce the cost of medications was met with a highly negative response, as the price cuts primarily affect drugs that have not been proven effective, often only alleviating symptoms rather than treating the underlying disease. This raises the question: is reducing prices for such medications truly an effective solution?

Problems in Ukraine's Pharmaceutical Market

The pharmaceutical business in Ukraine has clearly regulated markups at each stage — from manufacturers to pharmacies, with each segment adding its own percentage to the cost of medications. However, the main issue for patients with high drug prices lies in these markups. While reducing prices may seem like a logical step, it doesn't address the core problem — access to medications, as the government does not ensure the proper supply of necessary drugs for the population.

Price Reduction as a Temporary Solution

The decision to reduce markups to make medications cheaper is only a temporary and insufficient measure that doesn't address the deeper issues within the pharmaceutical industry. There is a need to change the healthcare system itself, rather than focusing only on price regulation. The healthcare system must aim to address the major health issues of the population, which requires clear prioritization of needs according to disease and mortality statistics.

What Is Needed for Real Improvement?

The government must use the available tools to ensure access to necessary medications for the population, rather than allowing situations where most patients are forced to purchase their medications out-of-pocket. Ukraine has the appropriate tools for this, including the national list of essential medicines, treatment protocols, and the WHO’s global list. These lists define the minimum set of life-saving drugs that should be made available through the reimbursement program, better known as "Affordable Medicines."

The Role of the Government in Ensuring Access to Medications

Given this, in the hospital segment of pharmaceutical products, according to the medical guarantees program, patients should receive the necessary, evidence-based, effective, and cost-effective medications in hospitals free of charge. Only under such conditions can the real accessibility of medications for Ukrainians be ensured, rather than focusing solely on superficial price reductions.