Since 2016, The Ministry of Health of Ukraine and Crown Agents have been delivering ​a ground-breaking procurement project providing Ukrainian patients, from child- to adulthood, with medicines and medical products for oncology and oncohematology programmes. The initiative has been described by Guardian Columnist Oliver Bullough as ‘one of the most successful hands-on anti-corruption interventions in history’.

Ever year, Crown Agents has received an independent assessment of the results of deliveries. The conclusion of the 2019 study showed that since the start of the programme, Crown Agents’ procurement has saved The Ministry of Health over $62 million, with 83% of procured medicines costing less than in 2015. You can see more from the study in the downloadable link below.

A look back at some of the key project milestones in the initial implementation stage:

• March 2015– adoption of the Law on involvement of international institutions in the state medicine procurement program.
• January 2016– finalization of the agreement on cooperation between the Ministry of Healthcare of Ukraine and Crown Agents.
• February – April 2016– Ministry of Healthcare approves financial terms and the list of winners-suppliers for the adult oncology program and partially for the pediatric program too. Signing the first contracts with suppliers and provision of the first report to Ministry of Healthcare of Ukraine.
• April 2016– deliveries start in accordance with the approved schedule.
• May 2016– new tender on 18 items in accordance with the Ministry of Healthcare of Ukraine request.
• June 2016– 54% of the total volume and budget of medicines are delivered. 10% of medicines are delivered ahead of schedule, 7% running behind schedule.
• July 2016– 65% of medicines is delivered. Still expecting final confirmation from the Ministry of Healthcare of Ukraine – 3 for the child program and 17 for the adult one.
• August 2016– 50,34% of medicines for the child oncology program, 80,3% of medicines within the centralized procurement program for adult oncology and 48,02% of the requested reagents are delivered.
• September – October 2016– delivered 91,65% of contracted medicines for the child oncology program; 85,66% of contracted medicines within the centralized procurement program for adult oncology; and 84,38% of the contracted reagents.
• November 2016– delivered 100% of contracted medicines for the child oncology program; 100% of contracted medicines within the centralized procurement program for adult oncology for adult oncology; and 84,38% of the contracted reagents; and 100% of the contracted reagents.

Read our brochure about our work in Ukraine which consists information about principles of the company, procurement project timeline, procurement process map and further report on results of the public procurement.