The Ukrainian Ministry of Health has expanded its service for finding lower-priced prescription drugs
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Health Service of Ukraine, has launched the second phase of a digital service that allows patients to independently find the most affordable medications prescribed by their doctor.
Now, by scanning the QR code on the paper slip accompanying the electronic prescription, patients can view the best deals for all single-ingredient prescription medications, regardless of their dosage form. Previously, the service was available only for tablets and capsules.
The service update allows patients to compare prices for syrups, suspensions, drops, ointments, gels, and injectable solutions that they purchase with their own funds outside the “Affordable Medicines” program. To use the system, a patient must ask their doctor to print out the e-prescription summary and scan the QR code with a smartphone; the National Price Catalog will then display up to three of the cheapest options with the same active ingredient and dosage. The Ministry of Health specifically emphasized that pharmacies are required to have at least one of the three listed cheapest drugs in stock, and their retail price cannot exceed the maximum markup set by manufacturers.
This was reported by the Ministry of Health and the National Health Service of Ukraine.
The Ministry of Health also notes that the minimum availability standard remains in effect: at least one of the three cheapest drugs with the corresponding active ingredient must be available at a pharmacy, which should reduce the risks of artificial price gouging or shortages of essential medicines. This was reported by the Ministry of Health.
