Recently, as part of the 79th session of the World Health Assembly, a special side event "The Future of the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines and Access to the Latest Medical Technologies" was held, organized by Knowledge Ecology International.
The discussion brought together representatives of the WHO and leading international experts in the fields of health policy and standards, patent law, human rights advocacy and health technology assessment.
From the State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the Director of the Health Technology Assessment Department Oresta Piniiazhko took part in the event. At the center of the global dialogue were the issues of rethinking standards of patient access to innovative treatment and the future of the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, which turns 50 years old in 2027.
During the discussion, Oresta Piniashko presented the Ukrainian experience of using the WHO Model List in health technology assessment processes and in formulating recommendations for public procurement. Particular attention was paid to the development of the health technology assessment system in Ukraine, which makes it possible to expand patients' access to innovative treatment, including through the use of managed access agreement instruments and the determination of a cost-effective price.
The meeting participants emphasised that the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines remains an important tool for setting priorities in the field of healthcare. At the same time, the introduction of innovations must comply with the principles of fairness and accessibility for countries with different income levels. "It is important not only to expand the WHO Model List, but also to provide recommendations on how exactly to introduce innovations and make them accessible to patients from different countries. And I am very pleased that Ukraine is an active participant in shaping the standards of the future," emphasised Oresta Piniashko.
Participation in such international events helps strengthen the Center's expert capacity and Ukraine's integration into the global professional dialogue on the development of modern healthcare systems.
