New standards for the rational use of antimicrobial medicinal products for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes in healthcare institutions have come into effect in Ukraine.
The corresponding order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No.1328 was signed in September 2026.
The documents were developed pursuant to the State Strategy for Combating Antimicrobial Resistance for the period up to 2030 and regulate clear rules for prescribing, adjusting and completing systemic antibiotic therapy, as well as introduce mandatory measures for the control and monitoring of adverse reactions.
The key goal is a global response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), overcoming the uncontrolled use of antibiotics and prescribing them exclusively in the presence of real medical indications.
Methodological support and information provision were carried out by specialists of the State Expert Center.
To effectively curb antibiotic resistance in medical institutions, the standards introduce a number of requirements, including:
- prescribing antimicrobial agents only in cases of laboratory-confirmed or suspected bacterial origin of the disease;
- prohibition of prescribing medicinal products at the wish or request of the patient and in the absence of a medical need;
- collection of biological material for bacteriological testing before the start of treatment;
- mandatory justification of the appropriateness of prescribing antimicrobial medicinal products and documentary recording in the medical record or the EHS;
- review of the antibiotic treatment regimen after 48-72 hours from the start of therapy, taking into account the patient's clinical condition;
- selection of the group of medicinal products taking into account the WHO AWaRe classification.
At the primary level, the introduction of a "delayed prescription" becomes a separate tool, when the patient receives a prescription but may use it only in case of deterioration of the condition or absence of improvement.
In inpatient settings, decisions will be made taking into account the local resistance profile (antibiogram data).
Control over prescriptions is being strengthened, and the use of reserve medicines will require prior approval.
The full texts of the standards can be reviewed on the Center's website at the link
We also remind that since 2023, an industry standard has been in effect in Ukraine on the use of antibiotics for the prevention of infectious complications of combat wounds: https://www.dec.gov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/smd_1004_01062023.pdf
