The full-scale invasion became an unprecedented challenge for Ukraine's healthcare system. At the same time, it forced the state and the industry to seek solutions that made it possible to preserve patients' access to medicinal products even under constant threats. Today, this experience is of considerable interest to European partners.
This experience was shared by the Director of the State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine Edem Adamanov during the visit to the Center of representatives of the Kingdom of Norway, as well as during an online meeting with representatives of the Norwegian regulator.
The delegation included representatives of the Ministry of Health and Social Services of Norway, the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, the Western Norway Regional Health Authority, the Norwegian Directorate of Health, as well as the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in Ukraine and advisers to the relevant ministry.
"Access to medicines today is not merely a healthcare issue. It is a matter of national and European security," emphasised Edem Adamanov.
Among the key lessons learned by the Ukrainian healthcare system during the crisis:
- key stakeholders involved in the supply chains of medicinal products and medical devices must be considered part of critical infrastructure and national security;
- financial stability of the supply chain – in crisis conditions, the state must support the working capital of pharmacies, manufacturers and distributors in order to ensure patients' access to medicines;
- speed of infrastructure response – access to energy resources, fuel and logistics for critical facilities must be ensured without delays and excessive bureaucratic procedures;
- pre-prepared logistics and access of personnel – mechanisms for the operation of critical facilities under emergency conditions must be defined in advance;
- regulatory flexibility while maintaining safety – simplification of procedures during a crisis is possible only under the condition of strong regulatory control of quality and safety.
Despite the war, the State Expert Center has not only ensured the continuity of regulatory processes, but also continues to implement key European integration changes. Among them are the introduction of the international eCTD standard, harmonization of legislation with EU requirements, and preparation for the creation of a single regulatory body based on the European model.
The Ukrainian experience proves that the healthcare system must be prepared for crises. That is why the solutions developed by Ukraine can be useful not only for our state, but also for European partners.
A joint analysis of crisis solutions will help colleagues from the EU strengthen preparedness for future security challenges, and help Ukraine build up its capacities and deepen integration into the European regulatory space.
