OBJECTIVES: Since 2015 the Ministry of Health of Ukraine has delegated state pharmaceutical procurement of 38 national programs to the international organizations for the providing of transparencyThis study aims to analyze market share of medicines, financed by State Budget in 2017 in Ukraine and present next steps how to improve access to new medicines by enhancing the efficiency of procurement systems.

METHODS: Literature review of secondary sources of evidence was conducted examining legislation database, scientific publications, reports on the study issues.

RESULTS: Public and private pharmaceutical expenditures on medicines were EUR 2.24 bn in Ukraine and made up 2.34% of GDP in 2017 (BMI Research). In 2017 international organizations (UN agencies – the United Nations Development Program, the United Nations Children's Fund, Crown Agents -British procurement agency) purchased medicines for 38 state programs for a total of EUR 0.19 bn according to the Law of Ukraine No. 269 dated 19.03.2015 that will remain in full force until 31.03.2019. The Accounting Chamber of Ukraine recorded cost saving up to 39% in 2017 as a result of this engagement. Regional national tendering purchased for EUR 0.16 bn and State Budget funding for reimbursement program “Affordable medicines” was EUR 23.3 mn in 2017. It was found that pharmaceutical procurement by State Budget was 15.7% of total expenditures on medicines.

CONCLUSIONS: Efficient procurement in Ukraine needs to be activated in a synergistic manner based on the international practice: pharmaceutical policy, legislation, stakeholder collaboration and involves more than just obtaining the lowest price – it is about creating a healthy market where high-quality products are available at the right time at affordable prices and at the right quantity. Additional instruments can be used to improve efficiency: using of generics/biosimilars, creating a competitive market through therapeutic tenders, introduction of managed entry agreements for innovative medicines.