Medical Cannabis in Ukraine: New Opportunities and Challenges

On August 16, 2024, Ukraine’s Law No. 3528-IX on medical cannabis came into effect, opening new prospects for the pharmaceutical and medical markets and, most importantly, providing patients with access to modern, innovative treatments. However, the legislation establishes strict rules governing its circulation, forms, and accessibility. This article explains how the medical cannabis market currently operates in Ukraine and highlights its key features.

Approved Types of Medical Cannabis in Ukraine

The law allows medical cannabis to be used in the following forms:

• Liquid oral forms (solutions, emulsions, suspensions) — in concentrations of 10 mg/ml, 15 mg/ml, and 25 mg/ml.
• Hard capsules — in doses of 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg.
• Dental pastes — in concentrations of 25 mg/g (paste) and 10 mg/g (gel).

The choice of form will depend on the patient’s specific needs, and prescriptions can only be issued by a doctor.

Medical Cannabis Supply Chain in Ukraine

The medical cannabis market operates under a clearly defined structure with three main components:

Medical Cannabis Producers

Companies engaged in cultivation and processing must comply with strict Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. They oversee the entire production cycle — from plant cultivation to extraction, processing, and packaging. Their primary role is to ensure high-quality raw material in the form of extracts for further processing into medicinal products.

Pharmaceutical Distributors

Distributors purchase products from producers and deliver them to pharmacies. Their role involves organizing efficient logistics and ensuring compliance with all safety requirements to deliver cannabis-based medications to pharmacies in proper condition.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies are the final link in the supply chain. Patients can obtain medications only from licensed pharmacies that meet all regulatory requirements. Under current Ukrainian legislation, medical cannabis holds the status of an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API). Products containing this API are permitted for sale only in production pharmacies licensed to handle narcotic substances.

How is an API registered?

Before reaching pharmacies, APIs must undergo mandatory registration. In Ukraine, this procedure is managed by the Ministry of Health following an examination of submitted documents.

What Happens After API Registration?

After registering an API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient), a company must connect to the electronic information system that ensures transparent regulation of medical cannabis at every stage of its circulation. The next step is obtaining an import permit for the API. This permit is issued by the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control (SMDC) with approval from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). It is granted within the quota allocated by the state, based on applications submitted in advance. Once the permit is issued and the quota is confirmed, the company can import raw materials. These can be sold to pharmacies that are licensed to handle narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and precursors, and also have a license to produce medicines in-pharmacy.

The medical cannabis market in Ukraine is just beginning to take shape, and businesses will need to quickly adapt to new regulations. Companies in this field should closely monitor legal updates, establish reliable logistics, and build effective marketing strategies. To stay informed, the GO.MedCan team has compiled a list of official resources worth following:

• Ministry of Health of Ukraine – provides updates on regulations and legal norms.
• State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control – key source for information on licensing, imports, and product control.
• Official Portal of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine – features news on legislative initiatives and industry development programs.

In our blog, we’ll keep you updated on all changes, news, and trends in the industry. Follow us to stay informed about the latest developments and opportunities in the medical cannabis market in Ukraine and beyond.