20 Jan 2021

Importing medical supplies into Ukraine

The issue of accessing adequate medical supplies in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is one of great concern for countries across the globe. Many countries have taken significant steps to ensure their populations have access to vital medical supplies and equipment as well as protective supplies including disinfecting solutions and PPE. For example, early on in the crisis, the Ukrainian government introduced measures for the importation of drugs, medical devices, and medical equipment into Ukraine to ensure the protection of citizens and healthcare staff from the COVID-19. These include exemptions relating to taxation, VAT, and import duties on a number of medical supplies.

Tax reliefs

The Ukraine Ministry of Health has developed and approved simplified procedures for the importation of a defined list of necessary supplies including:

• pharmaceutical and healthcare products: 77 items of medicines (including paracetamol, insulin, lidocaine, furosemide), COVID-19 testing kits, disinfectants, respirators, laryngoscopes, syringes, gurneys, chlorhexidine antiseptics, and solutions for IV infusions;
• special medical equipment: ALV, fiberoptic bronchoscopes, oxygen systems with respiratory humidifier, mobile X-ray units;
• laboratory equipment and In-Vitro Diagnostics Reagent Kits;
• Personal Protective Equipment.

These changes are designed to prevent any shortages of necessary medical supplies during the pandemic.

Additional government assistance

Legislative changes have also been introduced to solve the problem of availability and accessibility of medical products including:

Rapid procurement at suitable prices

According to the new acts, the procurement of medicines is financed from the state budget. This allows the procuring entity to directly procure medicines from national and foreign suppliers, avoiding intermediaries and potential price increases. Urgent purchases are carried out without tenders. The act also provides for control by the Cabinet of Ministers over the prices of medicines, medical devices, and other necessary goods. This aims to prevent private organizations from setting inflated prices for scarce goods.

Easy drug registration

The Ukrainian government has also made it possible to extend the validity of registration certificates for medicines purchased by specialized organizations. Additionally, drug registration and unregistered drug purchasing processes have been simplified.
All these measures have significantly assisted authorities in the fight against COVID-19. They will also allow for efficient distribution of vaccines when available according to the recently developed plan.

COREX Logistics is pleased to be your trusted partner to deliver medical supplies across Ukraine or other CIS countries, contact us through our website.
or call us: +353.01.903.6076