Free medicines for pensioners in 2026: who gets them and how to get them

In 2026, the system of preferential drug provision for pensioners will undergo a number of clarifications regarding the list of drugs, the procedure for obtaining them and the requirements for prescriptions. Against the background of changes in social policy and the increasing burden on regional healthcare systems, access to free medicines is becoming a concern for more and more older citizens. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.

Who gets free medicines in 2026

The right to free or discounted medicines in Russia is still reserved for certain categories of citizens: old-age and disability pensioners, war veterans and home front workers, participants in the elimination of radiation accidents, some categories of former government employees and other beneficiaries specified in federal regulations.

"All federal beneficiaries will retain the right to receive medicines for free in 2026. This list includes people with disabilities, participants and veterans of the Great Patriotic War, people affected by radiation exposure, as well as citizens suffering from socially significant diseases. Citizens who are eligible for state social assistance and who are prescribed medications for vital reasons are singled out separately," Nikita Chaplin, a State Duma deputy from the United Russia faction, told the newspaper.

The specific list of persons eligible for free medication is determined by federal legislation and clarified by regional social protection and healthcare authorities. In some cases, the right applies to those included in the lists of federal beneficiaries, in others — based on regional decisions.

A separate group consists of citizens who receive a set of social services (NSOs) in kind or with monetary compensation: they have the right to choose a convenient form of receipt — in-kind services (including medicines) or a cash payment.

The terms and rules for choosing the form of obtaining an NSO are regulated by the relevant departments and in some cases require submitting an application before the set date one year in advance.

According to Chaplin, the system of providing preferential medicines is stable. The basis is the list approved by the government, which is regularly updated taking into account the appearance of new modern drugs and the recommendations of doctors.

List of diseases and medications

Lists of preferential drugs are published in the form of official lists — these are lists of vital and essential medicines (VED) and additional regional lists.

The federal lists indicate active substances and therapeutic groups, ranging from cardiovascular drugs and antihypertensive drugs to drugs for the treatment of diabetes, bronchopulmonary drugs, and a number of oncological and immunological drugs.

The specific trade names in pharmacies may vary, but the pharmacy's duty is to dispense the medicine under an international nonproprietary name if the drug is included in the list.

In 2026, the approaches to providing medicines will continue to be updated: the Ministry of Health and regional authorities will strengthen control over procurement and supply logistics, including through the centralization of some procurement procedures. These measures are aimed at reducing the risk of disruptions, but it has not yet been possible to completely eliminate temporary deficits in individual positions.

At the same time, the lists of preferential and vital drugs can be adjusted depending on the decisions of relevant departments and the updating of clinical recommendations.

How to apply for preferential medicines

Receiving a discounted medicine usually begins with contacting the attending physician at the place of attachment. The doctor establishes the diagnosis, fixes the need for drug therapy and prescribes a prescription of the prescribed sample indicating the international nonproprietary name (INN), dosage and duration of the course.

The prescription is valid for the period specified by the regulations, which is usually 30 days, but in some cases the time and procedure may vary in the regions. Next, the patient applies with a prescription to a pharmacy included in the social security list or a preferential vacation network.

Many services can be arranged through digital channels — the Gosuslugi portal and the personal account of a medical organization allow you to speed up the process of recording, obtaining an electronic prescription and checking the availability of a supplier pharmacy.

Regional specifics are important: not all pharmacies participate in the preferential leave program, so it is more convenient to clarify the list of participating pharmacies in advance through the polyclinic, the regional Ministry of Health or the Internet resources of local administrations.

What documents are needed and where to apply

The basic package of documents for applying for preferential medicines includes a passport, an MHI insurance policy, if provided, a pensioner's certificate (pension certificate or SNILS), as well as a prescribed prescription from the attending physician.

To determine the right to benefits, sometimes a supporting certificate is required — for example, on the status of a veteran, disability, or inclusion in the list of federal beneficiaries; when receiving an NSO in kind, documents confirming the choice of the form of receipt are required (an application for transfer in kind or rejection, submitted on time).

For questions related to the choice of the form of obtaining social services and the deadline for submitting applications (for example, transfer of eligibility or refusal of recruitment), you should contact the Social Fund office or through the public Services portal.

If you have any doubts about the registration, you can contact the registry of the polyclinic, the social support service at your place of residence, or the multifunctional center (MFC).: These structures provide detailed advice on procedures and help fill out the necessary applications.

What to do if a discounted drug is not available at the pharmacy

If the selected pharmacy does not have a drug with a discounted prescription, the pharmacy must offer analogues with the same INN or order the drug on time. A number of pharmacy practices and regional regulations stipulate that an order must be placed and delivered within a few business days (for example, about two weeks), but the timing may vary depending on the region and supplier logistics.

"In case of difficulties with obtaining medicines, citizens can contact their insurance medical organization, the health authorities or to us, the deputies. We keep this topic under constant control," Chaplin concluded.

If the pharmacy refuses to order the drug or offers only paid options, you need to register the refusal and contact the district health center, the regional Ministry of Health or the patient rights protection service.