OBJECTIVES : The governmental program "Affordable medicines" for reimbursement the drugs for outpatient care for hypertension, diabetes and asthma was implemented from April 2017 in Ukraine. Only 35% of pharmacies are involved in this program. The aim was to determine the level of awareness of pharmacists about program.

METHODS : Survey was carried out in the form of questionnaire using Survey Monkey app during November, 2018 -April, 2019

RESULTS : We conducted a survey of 123 pharmacists regarding their awareness about first reimbursement program. Surveyed pharmacists had work experience in pharmacies 5-10 years 44,3%, less than 5 years - 25.4%, 10-20 years -18.8%, more than 20 years -6.5%. Information about the properties of medicines used 88.5% pharmacists from the instructions for medical use, 29.51% - from internet sites, and with evidence from the Cochrane database, PubMed only 7,38% of respondents. Among respondents 59.8% of pharmacists actively work under the first government program "Affordable medicines" and have a "good level of awareness". It is promising to participate in the government program for 10.7%, however 30.3% of pharmacists do not work in this program. Most often prescribed medicines were for patients with cardiovascular disease (95,9%), with diabetes-19,7%, with asthma - 4,1%. We found that 86.2% of respondents considered that it is necessary to expand the drug list for these diseases. Thus, 88.5% of pharmacists suggested necessarity to include the combined antihypertensive medicines. 62,3% of pharmacists also considered to include antibiotics for lung infections, and 66.4% - preparations for the treatment of pregnant women to reduce the cost for outpatient treatment. CONCLUSIONS : The results of the survey of pharmacist's awareness have shown the expediency of continuing drug reimbursement program and identified priority drug groups that should be included in the list of reimbursement for optimizing outpatient care for population in Ukraine.