We declare our full readiness to help the citizens of Ukraine

We are aware of the limitations imposed by the pharmaceutical law in the provision of legal humanitarian aid. We also know that work is underway on legislative changes to regulate this unique and dynamic situation. However, in our opinion, they are progressing too slowly. In addition, there is no coordination of all activities in a way that would make it possible to provide real help to all those in need right now, and yet every hour is now worth its weight in gold.

As an industry, we are ready to provide support to refugees, for example in the form of drug supplies. However, by law, we can only do this through a foundation. And, unfortunately, we observe quite a lot of chaos in terms of establishing a list of professional non-governmental organizations that our companies could support with their knowledge and resources. There is a lot of room for the Ministry of Health to show off in this area. The ministry should identify foundations that can directly reach those in need as soon as possible. We have drugs with short expiry dates that could immediately be delivered to the right places. These are not quantities that interest RARS, but these drugs are also very much needed both at home and abroad.

At the moment, people coming from Ukraine are not automatically entitled to benefits and reimbursed drugs. We have managed to systematize the issue of issuing prescriptions so far, but unfortunately these are prescriptions with full payment . These issues are to be regulated by the special act , which, according to the declaration of the Ministry of Health, will apply retrospectively. Until the law comes into force, refugees, who very often do not have any money, will not be able to get it.

In the current situation we see the four most important issues related to the pharmaceutical sector in the face of the ongoing humanitarian crisis:

1. Can companies and wholesalers organize legal distribution of life-saving drugs to medical facilities in Ukraine and how?
2. How, not forgetting about Polish patients, most effectively provide assistance in the field of access to medicines to refugees who are already in Poland in need?
3. How can we support the volunteer doctors who carry out basic research at reception points located all over the country with drugs?
4. Will Ukrainian citizens be provided with preventive vaccinations (both for children and adults) and when? What will the immunization schedule and vaccine delivery schedule look like? When will pharmaceutical companies be informed of the demand?

Establishing procedures as soon as possible will allow for effective assistance. That is why we appeal
for the appointment of a team coordinating cooperation between industry representatives and the government side as well as organizations providing real aid. In our opinion, this could function as a voluntary service with designated persons acting as liaison officers. The first step is to divide the tasks and needs by priority among the various entities that will offer their support . Our common goal should be targeted actions for the benefit of patients, regardless of the situation in which we find ourselves.

We declare that we are fully ready to cooperate and actively participate in humanitarian aid for the citizens of Ukraine. We are waiting for proposals from the Ministry to start implementing them immediately.

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