In 2022 the import of medicines to Ukraine decreased by 38%

In 2022 the long-term trend of increasing the volume of drug imports to Ukraine was interrupted. Thus, during 2016-2021, imports increased by 90%, while in 2022 there was a drop of 38%. The largest countries-suppliers of drugs to Ukraine are Germany, India and France. This is stated in a  series of infographics, created jointly by the Darnitsa pharmaceutical company and the Top Lead marketing agency.

Medicines take the lion's share (82%) in the volume of imports, the rest is serums, vaccines (13%) and reagents, contraceptives and medical materials (5%).

In 2022, Ukraine also lost a quarter of its drug exports. Nevertheless, even with destroyed warehouses and production facilities, rising commodity prices and logistical problems, exports did not stop and the economy continued to receive money.

Uzbekistan is the largest buyer of Ukrainian medicines. In 2022, Ukrainian companies stopped selling medicines to Russia and Belarus, while exports to Lithuania and Latvia increased. Despite this, the majority of Ukrainian pharmaceutical exports go to Asia.

The largest manufacturers of medicines in Ukraine have GMP certificates, which confirm that medicines are constantly being produced and controlled in accordance with international quality standards. However, the EU does not yet recognize GMP certificates issued by the State Medical Service of Ukraine. Therefore, in order to export to the EU, a manufacturer must undergo an additional inspection by the regulatory authorities of one or another EU country. Ukraine’s task for the near future is to achieve recognition of Ukrainian certificates in the EU.

 “The Pharmaceutical company “Darnitsa” is increasing exports, despite logistical and other challenges related to the war. The company exports medicines to 14 countries and has more than 250 registrations of medicines abroad, in particular in the countries of Europe and Asia. According to the result of 2022, we have increased the volume of exports by 38.9% - up to 285 million hryvnias. In natural terms, sales abroad have increased by 1.5 times,” says Hanna Pavliuk-Gavrilova, head of the department of international registration and entry into new markets of the “Darnitsa” pharmaceutical company.