On 20 January, the President of Ukraine signed into law long-anticipated amendments to the Law on Veterinary Medicines and Animal Welfare (4718-IX of 16 December 2025). The signing of this Law is seen by the Ukrainian Veterinary Alliance (UVA) as a ‘crucial step towards transparent, predictable, and EU-aligned rules for the veterinary sector.’
‘Milestone’ in Ukraine’s European integration process
The adopted Law represents ‘an important milestone’ in Ukraine’s European integration process. According to UVA, it ‘establishes the legal framework for the comprehensive implementation of EU-aligned approaches in the areas of animal health, animal welfare and the circulation of veterinary medicinal products.’
Entering into force on 1 March
The reform represents a systemic shift of the Ukrainian veterinary medicines framework towards EU-aligned regulation, broadly reflecting the approach of Regulation (EU) 2019/6 on veterinary medicines. The new legislation will enter into force on 1 March 2026 with extended transitional periods applying to marketing authorisations, licensing, ‘good practices’ compliance, pharmacovigilance and advertising.
(©Photo Getty images/Unsplash)