At its May 27, 2026 session, the Cabinet of Ministers posted a to-do list of healthcare reforms and policies, that will nudge Ukraine step closer to EU membership.
This list ranges from monitoring and regulating psychoactive drugs to reforms aimed at boosting the efficiency of healthcare management.
The Magnificent 9 Reforms that will Draw Ukraine closer to EU
- Infectious disease preparedness and preventions. Recent scabies vaccine crisis stressed the importance of systematic contingency planning and risk assessment. The package of laws encompass the outbreak preparedness and vaccination Aligned with EU standards.
- Narcotic substances law amended — new framework for monitoring novel psychoactive substances and an early-warning system, built to European standards.
- Prozorro Market expanded for health procurement — medicines, medical devices, and disinfectants added to the e-catalogue. In 2025, medical procurement via Prozorro reached UAH 22.8 billion, saving nearly UAH 3 billion. Localisation requirements for medical gloves also adjusted to prevent supply disruptions.
- National Mental Health Commission formation mechanism approved — 24-member body with 12 permanent competitive seats and 12 delegated by executive authorities; 4-year mandate. Formal process of appointing the commission now launched.
- National Essential Medicines List (Нацперелік) updated — minimum annual review cycle established; budget funds tied exclusively to listed medicines; strengthened rational use controls for antibiotics, insulins, opioids, anticoagulants, oncology, and high-cost drugs. Full list (PDF)
- Narcotics/psychotropics/precursors circulation rules updated — licensing, quotas, and lab requirements revised; cannabis cultivation for medical purposes regulated.
- GMO risk assessment criteria approved — uniform safety evaluation framework for work with genetically modified organisms in closed systems (research and laboratory settings).
- THRIVE programme — additional IBRD financing approved for negotiation.
Cabinet greenlit talks with the World Bank on drawing USD 444.05 million to expand the Programme of Medical Guarantees, strengthen primary care, develop hospital network capacity, and align service financing with patient needs. THRIVE programme document (PDF) - Global Fund grant rules improved — better MoH coordination of HIV and TB programmes; continuous access to free treatment, testing, and prevention services reinforced under wartime conditions.
Source: Ministry of Health of Ukraine