Psychotropic drugs are increasingly becoming a part of everyday life for Ukrainians. War, chronic stress, exhaustion, and living under constant shelling and uncertainty are leading people to increasingly self-medicate with sedatives, sleeping pills, and other psychotropic drugs — often without consulting a doctor or receiving proper medical supervision.

At the same time, the issue of the responsible use of psychotropic drugs today extends far beyond the realm of medicine. It concerns patient safety, the role of the pharmacy and pharmaceutical sectors, government regulation, access to psychiatric care, and the overall treatment culture in society.

On May 21, ZDOROVI, with the support of the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, will host a roundtable discussion titled “A Conscious Choice Between the Availability of Psychotropic Drugs and Patient Safety: Challenges for the Healthcare System and Cross-Sectoral Responsibility” as part of the “Conscious Choice” advocacy initiative.

During the event, representatives of the medical community, the pharmaceutical sector, government agencies, patient organizations, and the expert community will discuss the challenges associated with the uncontrolled use of psychotropic drugs and seek joint solutions to foster a culture of responsible treatment and effective cross-sectoral collaboration.

The discussion will focus on:

- the balance between the availability of psychotropic drugs and patient safety;

- the risks of self-medication and uncontrolled use;

- the role of doctors, pharmacists, the government, and patients in fostering a responsible approach to treatment;

- cross-sectoral solutions to enhance patient safety amid war and prolonged psychological stress.

The “Conscious Choice” initiative has already become a platform for open discussion on mental health, self-medication, and the responsible use of psychotropic drugs in Ukraine. As part of the project, three roundtable discussions have already been held with the participation of representatives from the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, members of parliament, and representatives of the medical and patient communities.

The Conscious Choice project is implemented with the support of the Askold and Dir Fund as a part of the Strong Civil Society of Ukraine – a Driver Towards Reforms and Democracy Project, implemented by ISAR Ednannia and funded by Norway and Sweden.