Procurement of medicines via international organizations in 2015-2016 saved a large portion of budget funds, but it did not provide for the timely access of patients to the medicines.

According to the decision of the Accounting Chamber posted on its website on the results of the audit of the efficiency of use of budget funds allocated in 2015-2016 and H1 2017 for procurement of medicines and medical products by international organizations, the period from the moment of paying for medicines until their supply is around 20 months.

"Comparison of the same volumes and list of the procurement shows that the total saving of the national budget funds during this period (2015-2016) was, according to calculations, UAH 373.6 million or about 39% of the cost of audited procurement. The goal of law No. 269 dated March 19, 2015 [on procurement via international organizations] regarding the provision of timely access of patients to the necessary drugs was not achieved," the chamber said.

In general, the document reflects the previously disclosed observations of the Accounting Chamber: the lack of impartiality in selecting international organizations for procurement, the lack of the proper organization of procedural procurement issues, the non-compliance of international procurement of drugs with legislative requirements for other public procurement, the creation of special conditions for international organizations, as well as the inadequate level of transparency when they had the opportunity not to disclose details of tenders - participants in procurement, price offers, conditions and terms of delivery.

The chamber said that expenses approved by the Health Ministry and Finance Ministry for medicine procurement did not help to provide for social justice and protection of all citizens that have the right to receive healthcare.