**1. Substance of the Act**
This Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine amends the procedure for utilizing state budget funds and the list of medical goods purchased at public expense. The primary substance of the document lies in creating the legal grounds for establishing a strategic reserve of medicines, simplifying the procedure for providing vaccines to military and law enforcement structures, as well as adjusting the nomenclature of medical devices for public procurement. Overall, the act is aimed at increasing the flexibility and continuity of the medical supply process in the state.
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**2. Structure of the Act, its Key Provisions, and Amendments**
The document has a clear two-part structure, as it amends two baseline resolutions of the Government:
* **First block (amendments to CMU Resolution No. 298 dated 17.03.2011):**
* The concept of a “strategic (buffer) reserve” of certain critically important goods, to be established by the Ministry of Health (MoH), is introduced. The volume of such reserve is capped at 100 percent of the annual need.
* The list of entities involved in the distribution and use of goods now includes “state institutions.”
* A special procedure is established for the distribution of vaccines for the security and defense sector.
* **Second block (amendments to CMU Resolution No. 216 dated 07.03.2022):**
* The title of the oncology section has been amended — it now explicitly includes medical devices. Ported catheters and Huber needles have been added to the list.
* In the orthopedics and neurosurgery section, the concepts of “implants” and “instruments” for spinal deformity correction are clearly distinguished (previously purchased together, they are now split into separate items).
* In the cardiology section, units of measurement for dozens of items (stents, catheters, oxygenators, vascular prostheses, etc.) have been systematically changed from rigid units (“pieces” or “sets”) to universal ones — “pieces/kits/sets”.
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**3. Key Provisions Important for Practical Use**
For the practical activities of healthcare facilities, public contracting authorities, and suppliers, the most critical innovations are the following:
* **Establishment of a buffer reserve:** The MoH is granted the right to build up stockpiles of critical goods “in advance.” This will help mitigate the risks of delivery delays; however, the volume of the reserve will be calculated individually, taking into account the shelf life of the medicines.
* **: Simplified access to vaccines for military and law enforcement forces.** The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), the National Guard, and the National Police can now obtain immunobiological preparations (vaccines) under a simplified procedure — based on a written or electronic request in accordance with the actual need. Holding a medical service agreement with the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU) is no longer a prerequisite for them to obtain vaccines.
* **Unification of units of measurement in procurement:** The change of units of measurement to “pieces/kits/sets” for cardiology and vascular devices eliminates technical barriers during tenders. This will allow for the procurement of products from various manufacturers, regardless of how the factory packaging or product configuration is assembled.
