The Cabinet of Ministers adopted a resolution to strengthen control over the circulation of nalbuphine
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted a resolution that included nalbuphine in Table II of List No. 1 of narcotic drugs and plants whose circulation is restricted. This decision strengthens state control over the circulation of the drug, in particular regarding its possible sale without a prescription. At the same time, patients who previously received nalbuphine by electronic prescription will continue to have the opportunity to purchase it in pharmacies with a doctor’s prescription.
The adoption of the resolution is another step in streamlining control over the use of narcotic analgesics and increasing patient safety. As before, prescriptions will be written electronically, and pharmacies will be able to dispense the drug legally.
The changes are aimed at ensuring a balance between patients’ access to effective pain relief and protecting society from the abuse of medicines containing potentially dangerous substances. They also correspond to the State Strategy on Drug Policy until 2030, which provides for a systematic approach to the treatment of addictions, changing public attitudes towards people with addictions, and implementing evidence-based, patient-oriented treatment methods in accordance with international standards.
As a reminder, in 2023, nalbuphine was transferred to the category of drugs dispensed by electronic prescription. According to the analytical system “PharmXplorer” from Proxima Research, after the introduction of such sales in June 2023, nalbuphine consumption in Ukraine decreased fourfold – from 201 thousand packages in June to 47 thousand in August.
