Solutions from Ukraine: Ministry of Health implements e-system for medical cannabis monitoring

As of October 1, Ukraine has implemented a new electronic system for tracking medical cannabis. The system will enable the tracing of medical cannabis from production to distribution, although sales of these medicines have not yet begun. The first registered pharmacy where cannabis-based medicines will be sold has already been established.

The Deputy Minister of Health, Mariia Karchevych, and the head of the Ukrainian Association of Medical Cannabis, Hennadiy Shabas, announced that during a press conference at the Ukrainian Crisis Media Center.

What is the problem?

Ukraine has been facing an ongoing war for over ten years now, resulting in countless physical injuries and mental trauma for its citizens. As a result, the need for effective medical treatments has become more pressing than ever. In this regard, the legalization of cannabis for medical purposes can provide relief to a significant number of individuals suffering from various health conditions.

Cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, and its effectiveness in treating chronic pain, epilepsy, anxiety, and PTSD has been well-documented. By legalizing medical cannabis, these patients would have access to a more natural and potentially more effective treatment.

Apart from its therapeutic benefits, medical cannabis legalization could also have a positive impact on Ukraine's economy. With the country's economy struggling due to the ongoing war, the cannabis industry could provide job opportunities and generate much-needed revenue.

However, with any legalization, there is always a risk of illegal trafficking and misuse of the substance for recreational purposes.

What is the solution?

To combat this, implementing an e-system for cannabis monitoring would be a practical solution. This system would allow for the tracking and monitoring of the entire supply chain, from cultivation to distribution to patients, ensuring that the cannabis is only used for medical purposes. It would also help prevent illegal trafficking and reduce the chances of misuse, as the system would be closely monitored and regulated.

"In it (in the e-system – director), all types of operations with medical cannabis will be recorded. In fact, from import or cultivation to dispensing in a pharmacy. All 35 types of operations," Karchevych said.

Every process will be logged in the system by the end of the following day after it is finished.

How does it work?

As the Ministry of Health reported, the electronic system was created on the Diia.Engine platform. It must register:

• pharmacies that plan to manufacture medicinal products from the plant substance of cannabis;
• medical and preventive institutions that intend to use ready-made medicinal products from medical cannabis in their medical practice;
• importers who will import into the territory of Ukraine seeds or planting material of hemp for medical purposes, plant substance of cannabis for the manufacture of medicinal products or ready-made medicinal products from medical cannabis, etc.

Medicines will be prescribed and dispensed only based on an e-prescription. They can be prescribed by doctors of primary and specialized medical care.

As Mariia Karchevych said, one pharmacy from Cherkasy is currently registered in the e-system, and now the government is waiting for the "activity of other pharmacies."

According to the head of the Ukrainian Association of Medical Cannabis, Hennadiy Shabas, there is hope that the first patients will be able to receive medicine based on medical cannabis already this year.

"Unfortunately, no active pharmaceutical ingredient has yet been registered that can be imported into the country and made into a drug in a pharmacy.

We are now persuading manufacturers from other countries to register in Ukraine. Although they understand that with that list of diseases and with that regulation, it's not about business, but about help," he noted.

Shabas also mentioned that the Ministry of Health is expected to issue a resolution soon, allowing the import of medical cannabis and its components to begin through a quota system. Without this resolution, the sales process cannot start.

The association's leader has mentioned that efforts are underway to enlarge the network of pharmacies authorized to create medical cannabis-based medications. About three to four months ago, only 35 pharmacies in Ukraine had this capability.

For reference:

It's important to mention that the law legalizing medical marijuana took effect on August 16. It governs the use and distribution of cannabis only for medical, industrial, scientific, and technical purposes. The unauthorized distribution of marijuana for recreational use is deemed a criminal offense.

In September, the Ministry of Health released a list of diseases and conditions for which medical cannabis can be prescribed. This typically applies to situations where other medication is ineffective or triggers adverse reactions that the patient struggles to tolerate.