A mechanism for the reimbursement of medicines for hypertensive patients as part of a pilot project was fully launched in November 2012, the Ukrainian Health Ministry has reported.

"The pilot project is already working... As for the reimbursement, November is the first month when this pilot project is fully working," Director of the Department of Economics and Resource Support of the Health Ministry Volodymyr Duda said at a press conference in Kyiv on Monday.

A press release distributed to reporters says that in all regions in Ukraine "the process is ongoing on the writing of prescriptions, purchase and sales, as well as the reimbursement of medicines for high blood pressure under the scheme envisaged by the pilot project."

According to the recommendations developed by the Health Ministry for doctors, a cardiologist, internist, pediatrician or family doctor writes a prescription for hypertensive patients, noting the international nonproprietary name of the medicine (molecule) and the dose. Patient with prescriptions, sealed by medical institutions, will be able to get medicines in pharmacies at a discount within 30 days, and pharmacies will get the discount reimbursed.

Duda said that the Health Ministry had not restricted pharmacies wishing to participate in the project.

"All pharmacies that are ready to participate [in the project] can do so... if they have these medicines and skilled staff, who will be able to provide consultations to patients," he said.

According to the press release, the government regulates the price of seven molecules contained in medicines for hypertensive patients: enalapril, lisinopril, bisoprolol, metoprolol, nebivolol, amlodipine and nifedipine.

"There is a limit (reference) price for these seven molecules. And both cheap and expensive medicines can be produced from them. The compensation for one molecule will be single, both for expensive and cheap medicines," Duda said.

He noted that the state would not reimburse the full cost of medicines for hypertensive patients, but "within the wholesale selling limit, while the difference between the wholesale selling price and the price markup will be paid by the customer."

Duda said that the size of the compensation of the price of medicines for hypertensive patients would be eventually adjusted.

He also added: "In future, we are studying the possibility of extending this project to other diseases ... and extending this practice to other medicines."

This year's state budget envisages UAH 40 million for the reimbursement of the cost of medicines for hypertensive patients, according to the press release.