The ongoing Russian military strikes threaten to disrupt up to 70% of Ukraine’s pharmaceutical production, according to Serdyuk, the president of the All-Ukrainian Council for Patient Rights and Safety. This warning follows the destruction of the Kusum plant, which ranks among the top ten pharmaceutical manufacturers in Ukraine.
The situation places the “Affordable Medicines” program at significant risk, particularly affecting access to cardiovascular and neurological medications, among others. While these drugs may still be available physically, their costs could escalate. Medications prescribed by family doctors, which are meant to be free, might become inaccessible.
Additionally, the destruction of medicine storage facilities and disruptions in logistics are likely to lead to real challenges in the delivery of imported medicines. To mitigate these issues, experts suggest eliminating bureaucratic obstacles and calling for clear forecasts from the Ministry of Health.
