Ukraine’s national post to deliver and sell medicine at de-occupied and front-line territories

Ukraine is set to launch a pilot project called "Ukrposhta-Pharma" in the de-occupied and near-front areas. 

This was announced by the Ministry for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories, Rubryka reports.

What's the problem?

In the near-front territories where medical and pharmaceutical infrastructure is significantly damaged, there is currently a shortage of medications.

What's the solution?

The national postal operator "Ukrposhta" intends to obtain a license to sell medicines at its stationary or mobile branches.

The " Ukrposhta-Pharma " pilot launch is expected to start on February 1.

"The pilot launch of the initiative is planned for February 1. For this purpose, JSC Ukrposhta will obtain a license to sell medicines at existing postal stationary or mobile branches," the statement said.

How does it work?

The company believes that the initiative will help solve the problem of access to affordable medicines throughout Ukraine in the first half of 2024.

The "Ukrposhta" team is looking for suitable premises to open the first licensed warehouse in Kyiv.

Recruitment of pharmacists is also underway because only specialists have the right to dispense over-the-counter and prescription medications. In addition, the company plans to introduce a hotline for citizen requests.

"Citizens are waiting for our solutions. Often, due to hostilities and constant enemy shelling, our people are deprived of access to the most essential things, including medicines," said Vice Prime Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk.

As reported earlier, mobile pharmacy points will operate in Ukrainian villages and near-front territories.

The creation of such mobile pharmacies will significantly improve people's access to necessary medications. In particular, these pharmacy points will dispense drugs eligible for reimbursement under the "Affordable Medicines" program.

The Ministry of Health is currently working to ensure that every 2-3 villages have a pharmacy and postal operators are also planned to be involved.

In other news, Ukrposhta delivered international shipments by rail for the first time in 20 years.

Also, Ukrposhta and the Ukrainian Railways Ukrzaliznytsia launched the "Christmas Mail" project for the defenders.