Preparing on the Use of Digital Tools for Working with Medical Cannabis-Based Medicines

Measures aimed at expanding the use of medical cannabis-based medicines are continuing. In particular, this also applies to extemporaneous medicines, which can be prepared according to an individual medical prescription, as well as for health care facilities directly in the pharmacy.

The traceability of the circulation of these products will be guaranteed by the following measures: 

• all medicines derived from medical cannabis are prescribed and dispensed exclusively via the e-Prescription system within ESOZ;
• all transactions involving these products are recorded in compliance with prevailing legislation, specifically the Law of Ukraine “On Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Precursors” and the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 857, utilizing the electronic system for tracking the circulation of medical cannabis.

In preparation for the integration of digital tools and subsequent engagement with them, it is advisable to review the following information pertinent to various types of institutions:

Healthcare Facilities:

Healthcare institutions intending to prescribe or utilize medicines derived from medical cannabis should assess their readiness to operate within ESOZ and ESORK.

Ensure that the institution is adequately prepared to integrate electronic prescriptions within ESOZ:

• Get acquainted with the revised training module titled “Features of Creating an Electronic Prescription,” which encompasses detailed guidance on formulating
  e-Prescriptions for medicines derived from medical cannabis, including those prepared extemporaneously;
• Should additional support be required, liaise with representatives from your Medical Information System (MIC) to discuss the feasibility of training and the utilization of the pertinent functionalities.

Ensure that your institution is registered in the Electronic System for Cannabis Tracking (ESORK):

Healthcare facilities intending to incorporate ready-made medicines or pharmacy-manufactured medicines derived from medical cannabis into their practice must be registered in ESORK for comprehensive tracking of operations related to these medicines throughout their lifecycle—from procurement to utilization.

The registration process is conducted by the chief executive officer of the legal entity or the individual entrepreneur utilizing a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES). Upon validation of registration by the SMDC of Ukraine, the economic entity’s registration in the system is finalized.

Following registration with ESORK, the reporting entity is required to document all medical cannabis transactions that have to be reported.

Pharmacies are advised to assess their preparedness to operate within ESOZ and ESORK if they intend to manufacture and/or dispense medicines derived from medical cannabis.

Make sure your pharmacy information in ESOZ is up to date:

• check whether the information about the license for the activities in the sphere of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors is provided;
• check additionally that the necessary types of economic activity are registered in accordance with the functions of the pharmacy:
• marketing of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors – for the distribution of finished medicines;
• manufacture of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors in the pharmacy – if the pharmacy plans to manufacture extemporaneous medicines.

Ensure your pharmacy is duly registered within the Electronic Cannabis Tracking System (ESORK):

Entities engaged in medical cannabis activities must complete registration in the system prior to initiating any related operations.

Review the updates concerning the regulations governing the preparation of extemporaneous medicines. Amendments to the Rules for the Production (Manufacture) and Quality Control of Medicines in Pharmacies (Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 29.05.2026 No. 706) are currently in the process of publication. These revisions pertain exclusively to the production of extemporaneous medicines—medications manufactured directly within the pharmacy based on a bespoke prescription from a physician or as requested by healthcare institutions.

For other entities involved in medical cannabis operations, businesses holding a license for activities involving drugs, psychotropic substances, and precursors, and those undertaking or intending to undertake medical cannabis operations at any stage of its circulation, are advised to prepare for integration into ESORK.

Ensure your enterprise is registered with ESORK:

Pursuant to statutory requirements, all economic entities conducting or planning to conduct medical cannabis operations must register with ESORK prior to commencing such activities.