The Verkhovna Rada ratified the Joint Procurement Agreement for Medical Countermeasures with EU countries

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted the Law of Ukraine “On the Ratification of the Joint Procurement Agreement for Medical Countermeasures.” This law grants Ukraine full access to the European mechanism for the joint procurement of critically important medicines, vaccines, and other medical supplies.

The Joint Procurement Agreement (JPA) has been in effect within the European Union since 2014, encompassing 38 countries, including EU Member States and candidate countries.

Ukraine joined the JPA on April 9, 2025. The document was signed on behalf of the state by Viktor Liashko, the Minister of Health of Ukraine, during the tenth meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council in Brussels.

The joint procurement mechanism provides for the advance purchase of critically important medicines—including innovative drugs, vaccines, and antivirals—to respond effectively to pandemics, drug shortages, and other serious public health threats.

The mechanism also enables Ukraine to participate in joint European tenders alongside other participating countries, secure more favorable pricing by combining procurement volumes, gain representation on the JPA Steering Committee, and contribute to decision-making within the mechanism. It also opens up additional opportunities to integrate Ukrainian manufacturers into European supply chains for critical medicines.

Participation in the Agreement is voluntary and does not obligate the state to engage in every procurement procedure. However, it provides access to pan-European health protection tools and enables Ukraine to shape its needs on an equal footing with other countries.