# Health
‘Affordable Medicines’: what has changed since 4 May
The Cabinet of Ministers has expanded the list of medicines eligible for reimbursement under the Affordable Medicines Programme. The updated list came into effect on 4 May 2026 as part of the Medical Guarantees Programme.
A dangerous hantavirus has been detected on board a cruise ship following the deaths of three passengers
A cruise ship travelling from Argentina has been at the centre of an outbreak: three of its passengers have died and one is in intensive care. The Hantavirus may be to blame.
Russia sees no health risks to Tuapse residents from the ‘oil rains’
Anna Popova, head of Rospotrebnadzor, has stated that there is no health risk to residents of the Russian city of Tuapse, where ‘oil rain’ fell following damage to an oil refinery.
‘Affordable Medicines’: the programme is set to be significantly expanded from 1 July
Ukraine is preparing for a major expansion of the ‘Affordable Medicines’ programme. From 1 July, the list will be expanded to include medicines for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, covering all active ingredients available on the domestic market
The ‘Affordable Medicines’ scheme is set to be expanded from July: heart medicines will be added
From 1 July, there are plans to expand the ‘Affordable Medicines’ state programme. A significant number of medicines for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases will be added to the programme, which patients will be able to obtain free of charge or with a partial co-payment via an electronic prescription.
The Red Cross is launching a large-scale programme to support people with disabilities in Ukraine
The Ukrainian Red Cross has signed a trilateral agreement with its Finnish counterparts and the International Committee of the Red Cross to assist citizens who have become disabled as a result of the hostilities.
An mRNA vaccine against pancreatic cancer has demonstrated long-lasting effects
A personalised mRNA vaccine against pancreatic cancer has shown promising results in long-term follow-up. In some patients who responded to treatment, the disease did not return even four to six years after the end of therapy.
A cigarette-free generation: Britain has introduced a historic ban on smoking for young people
In the UK, Parliament has passed a law banning the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 1 January 2009. If the bill receives royal assent, the country will become one of the first in the world to actively work towards creating a ‘smoke-free generation’.
Condom prices could rise by 30% due to the war in Iran — Reuters
The Malaysian company Karex Bhd, the world’s largest condom manufacturer, plans to raise its prices by 30% if the war in the Middle East continues.
Ukraine has recorded its first case of the new ‘Cicada’ coronavirus strain: symptoms have been identified
The Public Health Centre of the Ministry of Health has recorded the first case of a new strain of coronavirus known as ‘Cicada’. According to the WHO, there are currently no indications that the virus could trigger a widespread outbreak.
A baby was born on a Ukrzaliznytsia train. As a result, the train made an unscheduled stop in Fastiv
A baby was born on the Ivano-Frankivsk–Cherkasy train on the morning of 16 April. Due to the birth, the train had to make an unscheduled stop in Fastiv, where paramedics were waiting on the platform.
McDonald’s is launching a new global menu in Ukraine: a list of dishes
13 new dishes from 8 countries around the world will be available at all open McDonald’s restaurants in Ukraine from 15 April to 24 June 2026, or until stocks last.
