Ukrainian Antimonopoly Committee Calls for Prescribing Free and Discounted Medicines by Generic Names

On July 19, 2016, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine proposed amendments to the rules on prescribing discounted or free medicines. The Healthcare Ministry is obliged to examine the proposed changes and respond within 30 days.

Under the current rules, healthcare professionals are allowed to use brand names when prescribing medicines. Under the amendments, it would be compulsory to prescribe free and discounted medicines by using their international non-proprietary names, or generic names.

The changes may be initiated due to the price difference between the generic and branded products. Generic drugs are of equal quality as their branded counterparts but are usually less expensive. The changes, if adopted, would also encourage competition among pharmaceutical companies.

Prepared by: Olga Goncharova

For more information, please contact ukraine@petosevic.com.

Source: Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine