Тhe Ministry of Health of Ukraine intends to fully implement 2D coding [special labeling of packages to prevent counterfeiting] of medicines in Ukraine in two and a half years, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said during a press briefing in Kyiv on Friday.
“Yesterday, I had a meeting with representatives of leading pharmaceutical companies in Ukraine. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss an action plan in the ministry regarding the pharmaceutical market. The first thing we voiced was the introduction of 2D-coding of all the medicines that are used in Ukraine. When this is implemented, the number of counterfeit medicines in pharmacies will be reduced to almost zero. We believe that in two-two and a half years we will be able to completely switch to 2D coding. We will move gradually: first, we will transfer to 2D coding all medicines according to the reimbursement program, and only after that all import goods,” he said.
According to the minister, it is also planned to completely switch to electronic prescriptions.
“E-prescription is now used in the Affordable Medicines program. We believe that the electronic prescription should be expanded as much as possible in our country, including gradually getting rid of paper prescriptions so that medicines are dispensed exclusively on prescriptions that can be controlled. It also has an economic effect, in this case we envisage a reduction in the prices of medicines. The e-prescription contains the active ingredient, and in the pharmacy you can choose a drug for a suitable price,” Stepanov said.
