OBJECTIVES Since June 2016 Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines of Ministry of Health (MoH) of Ukraine has been working as advisory expert body for the transparent selection of medicines for inclusion on National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM). The study aimed to analyse and present the current status, recent developments in the implementation of National Drug Policy in Ukraine.

METHODS Literature review of legislation database and secondary sources of evidence was conducted.

RESULTS As results of MoH work in Ukraine was approved the Decree of Cabinet of Ministers №1022 dated 05.12.2018 about “State strategy for implementation of the National Drug Policy in Ukraine for the period to 2025”. The strategy is developed based on WHO recommendations and is defined as a political commitment and a guide for action to ensure the availability and rational use of effective and safe medicines of appropriate quality according to the European practice for National Drug Policy for a long-term perspective. The main tasks of the Strategy are: 1) ensuring appropriate selection of essential medicines to the NLEM; 2) ensuring availability of medicines; 3) appropriate financing of pharmaceuticals; 4) improvement of the supply system of medicines; 5) improvement of state regulation and quality assurance of medicinal products; 6) raising the level of rational use of medicines; 7) increase of investment attractiveness of the pharmaceutical market of Ukraine in terms of drug research and development. Establishment of HTA agency and extension of reimbursement program are perspective directions due to the reforming process in pharmaceutical providing in Ukraine.

CONCLUSIONS Implementation of National Drug Policy in Ukraine with legislation and action plan is important development due to international requirements which leads to further use of health technology assessment for efficient resource allocation.