Patient organizations have stated the risks of drug shortages after the Verkhovna Rada’s decision

The patient community expressed concern after the Verkhovna Rada adopted amendments to the state budget for 2026 without taking into account amendments on additional financing of state procurement of medicines.

This was reported by the public organization “Patients of Ukraine”.

According to the organization, during the consideration of the budget amendments, the parliament did not support the proposal to allocate an additional UAH 11.2 billion for the purchase of medicines and medical devices. The relevant amendments provided for the creation of an annual buffer stock of medicines for the most critical areas of treatment and ensuring full financing of state procurement programs.

The patient community emphasizes that for thousands of Ukrainians, state procurement remains the only source of access to vital medicines. This includes patients with cancer, hemophilia, pulmonary arterial hypertension, viral hepatitis and other serious diseases.

According to the organization, due to delays in supply and problems with conducting individual tenders, some cancer patients have not had access to basic chemotherapy drugs for more than six months. The problem is especially acute for drugs that cannot be purchased in the pharmacy chain.

The NGO “Patients of Ukraine” notes that difficulties have arisen with the supply of 17 drugs under the adult oncology and oncohematology treatment program alone.

Representatives of patient organizations called on the relevant parliamentary committee, the Ministry of Finance, the Cabinet of Ministers, and the Office of the President to find additional resources to finance the purchase of drugs this year.

At the same time, the public sector emphasizes that they will continue to work together with people’s deputies and international partners to find mechanisms that will ensure the continuous provision of patients with the necessary treatment.

“For people who struggle with serious illnesses every day, the issue of access to medicines cannot be postponed to the future,” the patient community emphasizes.