“Patients of Ukraine” — a coalition of patient organizations representing people with severe and rare diseases — has achieved significant expansion in treatment access and public influence over decision-making processes during the last four years amidst Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
Through public media and advocacy campaigns, as well as collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Members of Parliament, active Ukrainian patients secured an increase in the 2025 state budget for pharmaceutical procurement. The state allocated an additional UAH 3.1 billion (€61.6 million) for medicines. This funding not only addressed the growing needs of patients with cardiovascular diseases, oncological conditions, and hemophilia but also enabled the procurement of an innovative drug for melanoma treatment, which the state had not previously funded. Concurrently, “Patients of Ukraine” consistently advocates for the expansion of the National Reimbursement Program (“Affordable Medicines”) and the procurement of innovative pharmaceuticals through Managed Access Agreements (MAAs).
Another landmark achievement in expanding treatment access is the legalization of medical cannabis in Ukraine. Ukrainian patients worked on this issue for over five years—organizing protests, media-conferences to inform the public about the suffering of patients denied quality and affordable treatment. Currently, approximately 6 million people in Ukraine require such therapy. In 2023, the Ukrainian Parliament responded to patient voices by legalizing these medications. The patient community continues to collaborate with the Ministry of Health to remove remaining regulatory barriers and ensure the drugs are finally available in pharmacies.
Such work is made possible only through a strong reputation, years of experience, and the influence of civil society on systemic changes in Ukraine. “Patients of Ukraine” continues to strengthen public oversight within the healthcare system. Specifically, the organization assists in establishing Supervisory Boards in healthcare facilities where the majority of members are public representatives; to date, they have supported the creation of 30 such boards across 8 regions. Furthermore, members of “Patients of Ukraine” serve on the Public Control Council of the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU).
Background:
CF “Patients of Ukraine” was established in 2011, uniting patient communities with severe, chronic, and rare diseases to advocate for their right to treatment.
“Patients of Ukraine” is the organization that, beyond expanding access to treatment, initiated the development of the National Healthcare Reform Strategy for 2015–2020. This strategy became the foundation for the healthcare reform currently being implemented in Ukraine. They also pioneered procurement reform—initially transferring the procurement of state-funded medicines from the Ministry of Health to international organizations to increase transparency and resource efficiency. Later, they contributed to the establishment of the state enterprise “Medical Procurement of Ukraine” (MPU).
The organization successfully campaigned for the abolition of “evergreen” patents on medicines, finally granting patients access to high-quality and significantly more affordable generic drugs.
Since 2022, the foundation has grown substantially, expanding its scope of activities in response to the challenges of the full-scale invasion. Currently, the foundation unites 53 patient organizations, representing the interests of over 4.5 million patients. It operates in strict alignment with national healthcare strategies and international best practices (working with the Ministry of Health, NHSU, the Office of the First Lady, WHO, World Bank, etc.) and has a proven track record with key international humanitarian donors (EuroDel, USAID, NED, GIZ, and various embassies).
Between 2022 and 2025, “Patients of Ukraine” established a Humanitarian Hub. They procured and delivered medicines, medical devices, and equipment totaling over UAH 380 million (€7.5 million) to healthcare facilities across Ukraine and restored 46 damaged outpatient clinics in de-occupied territories.
Additionally, the CF implements the TRUE Initiative (Trauma Rehabilitation for Ukraine). Launched in 2022, TRUE aims to build a patient-centered and resilient rehabilitation system capable of providing timely access to quality recovery services.
Under this initiative, the CF “Patients of Ukraine” has drafted amendments to more than 60 regulatory acts and documents, with the government already adopting over 40 of them. The team is developing formal and informal education for rehabilitation specialists, having already organized 110 training events. Furthermore, the initiative has created methodological materials for the core educational components of Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, and Nursing programs and launched a Master’s program in Speech and Language Therapy.
The CF “Patients of Ukraine” strengthens the capacity of the national rehabilitation network, including community-based rehabilitation. It has delivered rehabilitation equipment totaling UAH 114.3 million (€2.2 million) to 42 medical facilities, one military hospital, and nine clinical practice labs.
