Some medicines that were previously available immediately in Ukrainian pharmacies now take several days or as long as three weeks to obtain. Russian strikes on storage facilities, combined with delivery problems, have reduced access to particular products. Radio Svoboda reported the disruptions on Tuesday, October 20.

Patients requiring continuous treatment are considered especially vulnerable. Pharmacies have reported gaps involving thyroid medication, antidepressants and hormonal contraceptives, while common non-prescription products can often be replaced with alternatives.

The damage includes a 30,000-square-metre Biocon warehouse, according to procurement specialist Yevheniia Rudenko. A pharmaceutical plant producing cardiac drugs in Sumy was also destroyed in a strike in early October, adding concern that currently available stocks could run out before replacements arrive.

Ukraine’s Health Ministry says there is no nationwide, systemic medicine shortage and describes the problem as limited to certain products, mostly imported ones. Pharmacists can transfer available drugs between outlets or order them for customers, but warn that fulfillment depends on remaining stocks and functioning logistics.