A new way to find cheaper medicines using a QR code has been launched in Ukraine
The Ministry of Health has expanded access to the National Drug Price Catalog, and patients can now check for the best deals on their own using the QR code in their e-Prescription. The system displays up to three of the cheapest options with the same active ingredient, form, and dosage. This applies not only to tablets but to all major drug forms purchased with personal funds.
The Ministry of Health explains that this new phase of the National Drug Price Catalog effectively makes the process of choosing medications more transparent and controllable for patients, allowing them to compare options on their own before purchasing rather than relying solely on advice from the pharmacy. While the system previously worked only for tablets and capsules, it now covers a much broader range of medications, including syrups, drops, ointments, gels, creams, and even solutions for injection.
The agency emphasizes that all one needs to do is scan the QR code from the paper reminder to the electronic prescription, after which the National Catalog page opens, immediately displaying all available alternatives for the medication. The system automatically selects medications with the same active ingredient, dosage, and form of release and displays up to three of the cheapest options, allowing users to quickly compare prices without additional searches.
It is specifically noted that this applies only to medications that patients purchase with their own funds—that is, those not included in the state “Affordable Medicines” program and not covered by local reimbursement programs. The Ministry of Health also notes that the previous phase of the initiative has already seen significant activity—doctors and patients have used the option to view minimum prices in the catalog over a million times.
To use the new feature, patients simply need to request a paper reminder when receiving an e-prescription, scan the QR code with their smartphone camera, and view the available options. After that, they can choose the most affordable medication from the list without wasting time searching in pharmacies.
The Ministry of Health also notes that the minimum availability standard remains in place: at least one of the three cheapest medications containing the relevant active ingredient must be available at the pharmacy, which should reduce the risks of artificially inflated prices or shortages of essential medicines. This was reported by the Ministry of Health.
