On March 1, 2025, new pricing rules in the pharmaceutical market were entered into force in Ukraine, which aimed to reduce the cost of consumers. However, instead of the expected decrease in prices, government initiatives have led to a massive closure of pharmacies, increased losses and a shortage of vital drugs - especially in villages and small cities.
The essence of innovations is a strict limitation of the mark -up: 8% for distributors and 35% for pharmacies, as well as a complete ban on marketing contracts with producers who previously offset the costs of the pharmacy network. These mechanisms were key to survival, especially in low -profit locations.
“When there were marketing transactions, pharmacies could work without increasing prices for patients. Now they are deprived of this resource. Responsibility is trying to transfer to pharmacists, although in fact the problem is in ill -considered politics, ”explains economist Boris Kushniruk.
Commercial networks are already reducing their presence in the regions. According to Taras Kolyada, the head of the Network, only since the beginning of March, the company was forced to close nine pharmacies and plans to close another five. The points that worked in remote settlements became unprofitable.
NGOs are alarmed: the country is rapidly reducing medication. “Pharmacies are already losing tens of thousands of hryvnias a month. All this is a direct blow to patients, ”says Olena Prudnikov from NGO Pharmrad.
According to the co -founder of the Ukrainian Health Center Pavel Kovtonyuk, the state introduced "manual regulation" without adaptation to the real state of the market: “Such decisions are always rotated. And it is already happening. "
The rural area loses the most. Here the pharmacy is often the only point of access to medicines. Its disappearance is not only a business issue, but a survival issue. More than 1500 pharmacies have already stopped during the war. Under current conditions, this figure can double.
Experts urge the government to review policies before the situation gets out of control. Without a quick reaction, the medication system may not withstand - with all the appropriate consequences for the health of Ukrainians.
