After nearly two years of deliberation, Ukraine legalized the cultivation, import, and utilization of cannabis for medical purposes with the enactment of bill number 7457. The law will come into effect as early as July 2024. This move is poised to benefit approximately 6 million Ukrainians in need of cannabis-based treatments.
The law ensures tight oversight of cultivation and distribution, allaying fears of unregulated narcotic circulation. From seed to pharmacy, cultivation will be closely monitored, and distribution will be restricted to certified outlets with prescriptions.
The legalization presents not only healthcare advancements but also economic opportunities. Initially, imported products will satisfy demand, but domestic production is expected to commence within a few years, fostering market growth.
Hanna Hlushchenko, an expert in medical cannabis, underscores the need for regulatory clarity to expedite market development. Among the industry's challenges, Hanna highlights the limited number of certified pharmacies and the low level of physician awareness.
In Europe, medications derived from medical cannabis are typically manufactured in pharmacies licensed to produce drugs on-site. Ukraine aims to adopt a similar approach. However, presently, out of 18,000 pharmacies, only 200 possess the required licenses. To mitigate this issue, it is imperative to augment the number of licensed pharmacies. Failing to do so may result in patients being unable to access essential medications despite the law's enactment.
Source: pravda.if.ua