Key areas of European integration in the healthcare sector were discussed in preparation for the screening meeting
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine held a strategic session to discuss challenges and ways to adapt the national healthcare system to European standards. The main goal of the meeting was to formulate a clear position for the bilateral screening meeting to be held on 10-12 February 2025 in Brussels.
The screening of Ukrainian legislation is an analysis of the adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to the EU law in the context of the European Council’s decision of 14 December 2023, to start negotiations with Ukraine on EU membership and the results of the agreements between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
It should be recalled that pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 365/2024 of 21.06.2024, a delegation of Ukraine was formed to participate in negotiations with the EU on the conclusion of an agreement on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, which included Deputy Minister of Health for European Integration Maryna Slobodnichenko.
Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 987 of 27 August 2024 approved a working (negotiation) group to prepare Ukraine’s negotiating positions during negotiations with the European Union on the conclusion of an agreement on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union on consumer protection and healthcare. The negotiating group includes representatives of the government, parliament, civil society and business.
The meeting featured over 25 thematic presentations covering key areas of European integration in the healthcare sector. All the materials and proposals developed will form the basis for discussions at bilateral meetings in Brussels. Ukraine plans to present a clear action plan that includes political, technical and legislative solutions aimed at adapting its healthcare system to EU standards.
The screening meetings in Brussels are a test of our European integration capacity and a presentation of future European integration plans with clear timeframes for their implementation. The Ministry of Health has prepared specific decisions aimed at implementing the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU and addressing common security issues with the European Union in key areas:
- Setting high standards of quality, safety, organs, and substances of human origin (SoHo, blood and its derivatives).
- Implementation of measures designed to protect public health.
- Maintaining high quality standards for medicines and medical devices.
“Among our tasks to be presented in Brussels is the implementation of regulations on medical devices and in-vitro devices; shifting the focus from state control over medicines to control by the importer or manufacturer when importing medicines; mandatory introduction of an authorized person for pharmacovigilance; mandatory GMP, GDP, GPP certificates; bringing the dossier on medicinal products in line with the requirements of technological progress; joining the protocol on independent trade; implementation of the National Strategy for the Control of Malignant Tumors until 2030; joining the Protocol on the Elimination of Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products; introducing a unified system of labeling human anatomical materials at the national level, etc. Of course, all solutions have to be realistic to achieve and have transition periods for business and the state. It is worth noting that the Ministry of Health plans to submit proposals for accelerated integration to the European Commission during the screening process in those areas where we are making progress.”
The priority remains to ensure coordination between national and European institutions to maximize the integration of Ukrainian legislation into EU acts.
We would like to thank the heads of the structural units of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, as well as our colleagues from the State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health, the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control, the National Health Service of Ukraine, the Center for Public Health and the Coordination Center for Mental Health of the Cabinet of Ministers. Special thanks to the Government Office for the Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration for clearly defining the priorities for coordinating our joint efforts.