Reimbursement Program for Medicines and Medical Devices (“Affordable Medicines”)

The“Affordable Medicines” reimbursement programwas launched by the government in 2017 to simplify access to medicines and reduce the financial burden on patients with chronic diseases who require continuous access to essential medications. Since April 1, 2019, the program has been administered by theNational Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU). Since then, prescriptions under the “Affordable Medicines” program have become electronic, and the patient’s journey has become clearer and more convenient.

Patients receive medicines and medical devices via electronic prescriptions either free of charge or with a co-payment, while the state reimburses part of the cost of medicines and medical devices dispensed under electronic prescriptions to pharmacies. The “Affordable Medicines” reimbursement program is part of theMedical Guarantees Program, which is funded annually from theState Budget of Ukraine.

In total, the program includes705 medicines and medical devices, of which233 are free for patients:

• 595 – medicines
• 30 – combination medicines
• 38 – insulin preparations
• 42 – medical devices (test strips) for blood glucose measurement for patients with type I diabetes

The program covers conditions and diseases treated inoutpatient settings, including:

• Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, including primary and secondary prevention of heart attacks and strokes
• Diabetes (both type 1 and type 2, including oral hypoglycemic drugs and insulin)
• Chronic lower respiratory diseases
• Mental and behavioral disorders
• Epilepsy
• Parkinson’s disease
• Conditions related to transplanted organs or tissues
• Pain management and palliative care
• Endocrine system diseases
• Metabolic, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases
• Glaucoma
• Migraine
• Pediatric conditions
• Pregnant women and postpartum care
• Oncological diseases (malignant breast neoplasms) – starting from October 31, 2025
• Medical devices for blood glucose measurement for patients with type I diabetes

Thecurrent List of Medicines eligible for reimbursementunder the state Medical Guarantees Program, as of August 28, 2025, can be accessed via the following links:

• Insulin preparations
• Combination medicines
• Other medicines
• Changes in other medicines

Thecurrent List of medical devices eligible for reimbursementunder the state Medical Guarantees Program, as of August 28, 2025, can be foundhere:

How You Can Receive “Affordable Medicines”

All patients, regardless of their place of residence or the location of medical services, can receive an electronic prescription for a medicine or medical device eligible for reimbursement if the relevant indications are present.

During martial law, in territories of active hostilities or temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation, which are included in thelist of territories where hostilities are ongoing (or have occurred) or temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation,

if it is technically impossible to issue electronic prescriptions for medicines and/or medical devices eligible for reimbursement, prescriptions can be issued inpaper form. Such paper prescriptions can be redeemed at pharmacies located in territories where hostilities are ongoing (or have occurred) or temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation, included in thespecified list.

A general practitioner – family doctor, pediatrician, or therapist – can independently prescribe medicines and issue electronic prescriptions for outpatient treatment of:

• Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, including primary and secondary prevention of heart attacks and strokes
• Diabetes (oral hypoglycemic drugs)
• Chronic lower respiratory diseases
• Pain management and palliative care (except for palliative patients with mental and behavioral disorders)
• Endocrine system diseases
• Metabolic, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases
• Glaucoma
• Migraine
• Pediatric conditions
• Pregnant women and postpartum care

To use the program for other conditions, first obtain a prescription from aspecialist doctor, who can also issue an electronic prescription.

The treatment plan is developed and entered into the electronic health system by:

• For mental and behavioral disorders – psychiatrist
• For epilepsy – neurologist or psychiatrist
• For Parkinson’s disease – neurologist
• For non-diabetic diabetes and patients with diabetes requiring insulin therapy – endocrinologist
• For type I diabetes patients to obtain test strips for blood glucose measurement – endocrinologist
• For conditions related to transplanted organs or tissues – transplant coordinator
• For pain and palliative care for palliative patients with mental and behavioral disorders – psychiatrist or narcologist
• For oncological diseases (malignant breast neoplasms) – oncologist

Subsequent electronic prescriptions based on a specialist doctor’s prescription can be obtained from a general practitioner – family doctor, pediatrician, or therapist.

When a doctor issues an electronic prescription, the patient receives a notification (SMS, Viber, or the Diia app) on their mobile phone containing a16-digit prescription numberand a4-digit confirmation code. If the patient does not use a mobile phone, they are provided with aninformational reference in paper form, which includes the prescription number, confirmation code, prescription date, and information about the prescribed medicine or medical device.

Where Can You Get “Affordable Medicines”?

You can receive“Affordable Medicines”at pharmacies or pharmacy points within healthcare facilities that have signedreimbursement agreements with the NHSU. These pharmacies can be identified by special stickers saying:“Affordable Medicines Available Here.”

You can find the nearest pharmacy:

• Using thedashboard “Electronic Map of Medicine Dispensing Points via e-Prescriptions”
• By calling theNHSU contact center: 16-77

1. Choose a convenient pharmacy that has a contract with the NHSU for dispensing medicines or medical devices for the relevant condition.
2. Provide theelectronic prescription numberto the pharmacist or pharmacy assistant and agree on which available medicines or test strips you wish to receive at the time of your visit. Check whether aco-paymentis required and its amount, or confirm that the medicine or device is providedfree of charge.
3. Only after all details regarding availability, quantity, and cost are confirmed, provide theredemption codeso that the pharmacist or pharmacy assistant can redeem the electronic prescription in the electronic health system.
4. Receive your chosen medicine or test strips.