Abstract
The article considers an interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of legal, administrative and corporate mechanisms for regulating the circulation of vaccines in the pharmaceutical industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. A comprehensive study of the level of transparency of procurement, vaccine effectiveness, profitability of pharmaceutical corporations and compliance with anti-corruption legislation in the EU countries and Ukraine was conducted. Special attention is paid to the characteristics of corporate norms operating in the medical and pharmaceutical environment, their legal status, scope and significance for the formation of ethical behavior of market entities. As a result, the need for harmonization of national pharmaceutical law with European standards, development of corporate responsibility and strengthening of state and public control over the circulation of medicines and vaccines was substantiated.
The study is based on the analysis of regulatory sources, official statistics, reports of international organizations, judicial precedents and examples from practice. Conclusions are drawn regarding the prospects for expanding the regulatory field and the role of corporate norms in the system of combating pharmaceutical corruption.
References
1. The pandemic isn't over: New COVID cases are on the rise in Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian countries - should you be worried? The Economic times 16.05.2025. URL: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/the-pandemic-isnt-over-new-covid-cases-are-on-the-rise-in-hong-kong-singapore-thailand-and-other-southeast-asian-countries-should-you-be-worried/articleshow/121214262.cms?from=mdr
2. COVID-19 comeback? Аvoid Traveling to these 5 countries due to a surge in cases. Times Indiatimes. 01.06.2025. URL: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/travel/news/covid-19-comeback-avoid-traveling-to-these-5-countries-due-to-a-surge-in-cases/articleshow/121496816.cms
3. Reyes R. Highly infectious new COVID strain from China that led to massive spike in hospitalizations has spread to the US - including NYC. 27.05.2025,
4. COVID-19 - Global Situation. WHO. 28.05.2025. URL: https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON572
5. Institute of Microbiology and Immunology named after I.I. Mechnikov NAMS of Ukraine. National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine. 05.07.2019. https://amnu.gov.ua/instytut-mikrobiologiyi-ta-imunologiyi-im-i-i-mechnykova-namn-ukrayiny/
6. TOP-15 pharmaceutical companies of Ukraine 2024.Ukrainian Business Award. 12.06.2024. URL: https://uba.top/pharmaceutical-companies-in-ukraine/#:~:text=%d0%94%d0%be%20%d0%bd%d0%b0%d1%88%d0d0%bf%d0%bd%d1%96,%2c%20sperco%2c%20%d0%b0%20%d1%82%d0%b0%d0%ba%d0%be%d0%b6%20vishpha
7. Top 20 Pharma and BioPharma Companies. ContractPharma. 2024. URL: https://www.contractpharma.com/top-companies-reports/top-25-pharma-and-biopharma/?cpost_id=61468&cyear=2024
8. Shapovalova V. An Innovative Multidisciplinary Study of The Availability of Coronavirus Vaccines in The World. SSP Modern Pharmacy and Medicine. 2022. Vol. 2. No 2. Р. 1-17. https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmpm.v2i2.45
9. Hayduchok I.G., Shapovalova V.O., Ishcheikin K.E., Chopyak V.V., Shapovalov (Jr.) V.V., & Shapovalov V.V. Pharmacoeconomic approaches for pharmacotherapy of rheumatoid arthritis. Likars’ka Sprava. 2021. No 1-2. Р. 70-79. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31640/JVD.1-2.2021(11).
10. Shapovalova V. System of drugs circulation based on medical and pharmaceutical law. Actual Problems of Medicine and Pharmacy. 2021. Vol. 1. No 1-2. Р. 1-14. DOI: https://apmplmi.com/index.php/apmp/article/view/12
11. Shapovalova V., Shapovalov V., Shapovalov V. et al. The COVID-19 Pandemic (Strains "Delta", "Omicron"): Particularities of Study on the Thematic Cycle "General Pharmacy Based on Pharmaceutical Law". Actual Problems of Medicine and Pharmacy. 2022. Vol. 3. No 1. Р. 1-18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52914/apmp.v3i1.36
12. Gryzodoub O., Shapovalov V. Quality Systems in Pharmacy: Multidisciplinary Context of the State Pharmacopoeia of Ukraine. SSP Modern Law and Practice. 2023. Vol. 3. No.1. P. 1-23. URL: https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmlp.v3i1.81
13. Shapovalova V. Monkeypox Virus – New Challenges of Modernity: Experimental Organizational and Legal, Clinical and Pharmacological Studies. SSP Modern Pharmacy and Medicine. 2022. Vol. 2. No. 3. Р. 1-15. https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmpm.v2i3.54
14. Shapovalova V. Human Metapneumovirus: Modern Challenges for Medicine and Pharmaceutics. SSP Modern Pharmacy and Medicine. 2025. Vol. 5. No. 2. Р. 1-14. DOI: DOI: https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmpm.v5i2.180
15. Shapovalova V. The ICD-11 For the Twenty-First Century: The First View from The Organizational, Legal, Clinical and Pharmacological Aspects. SSP Modern Pharmacy and Medicine. 2022. Vol. 2. No. 1. Р. 1-13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmpm.v2i1.37
16. Ivanishyn-Hayduchok L., Shapovalova V., & Shapovalov V. ICD-11: Organizational and Legal, Medical and Pharmaceutical, Social and Economic Issues of Implementation of the Program of State Guarantees of Medical Care in 2022 in Ukraine, Based on The Fundamental Principles of the European Union. SSP Modern Pharmacy and Medicine. 2022. Vol. 2. No. 2. Р. 1-14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmpm.v2i2.53
17. Shapovalova V. Innovative Approaches to Medical and Pharmaceutical Care, Pharmacotherapy, and Availability of Pharmaceutical Supplies for Tuberculosis Patients in Wartime. SSP Modern Pharmacy and Medicine. 2025. Vol. 5. No. 1. Р. 1-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmpm.v5i1.170
18. Menkus O., Grishyna O. Multisymptom long COVID in a patient with psoriatic arthritis: a case report. Annals of Mechnikov’s Institute. 2025. No. 1. Р. 81-85. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15011141
19. Shapovalova V. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Administration, Clinical and Pharmacological, Organizational and Legal, Pharmaceutical Management, Recent Case Studies. SSP Modern Pharmacy and Medicine. 2024. Vol. 4. No. 1. Р. 1-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmpm.v4i1.123
20. Shapovalova V. Forensic and Pharmaceutical Risks in the Organization of Pharmacotherapy of Covid, Post-Covid and Long-Covid Disorders. COVID-19 and Vaccination Practice Standards. SSP Modern Pharmacy and Medicine. 2022. Vol. 2. No. 4. Р. 1-24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmpm.v2i4.69
21. Zbrozhek S.I., Shapovalova V.O., Shapovalov (Jr.) V.V. et al. Processing of the control regime of medicines for pharmacotherapy of chronic pain syndrome in the field of palliative aid. Likars’ka Sprava. 2019. No. 5-6. Р. 111-118. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31640/JVD.5-6.2019(15)
22. Shapovalova V.А., Shapovalov V.V., Shapovalov V.V. et al. Forensic and Pharmaceutical assessment of polydrug addiction at combined use of psychoactive substances. Likars’ka Sprava. 2018. No. 1-2. Р. 171-177. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31640/JVD.1-2.2018(29)
23. Shapovalov V., Shapovalova,V., Osyntseva A. et al. Multidisciplinary context of research of a new drug in infectious and inflammatory diseases. Annals of Mechnikov’s Institute. 2024. No. 3. P. 3-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13820208
24. Vasylovskyy V., Nehreba T., Chernenko M. et al. Modern Experience of Pharmacotherapeutic Use and Effectiveness of Endolumbal Administration of Glucocorticoids in Progressive Types of Course for Multiple Sclerosis. SSP Modern Pharmacy and Medicine. 2024. Vol. 4. No 3. Р. 1-10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmpm.v4i3.157
25. Shapovalov V. Multidisciplinary Study of Medical Errors in the System of Legal Relations Between "Doctor-Patient-Pharmacist-Advocate" During the Circulation of Drugs. SSP Modern Pharmacy and Medicine. 2023. Vol. 3. No. 2. Р. 1-10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmpm.v3i2.88
26. Chernenko M., Nehreba T., Voloshyna N. et al. Modern Pulse Corticosteroid Therapy in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Adverse Events and Clinical and Pharmacological Measures to Eliminate Them. SSP Modern Pharmacy and Medicine. 2025. Vol. 5. No 1. Р. 1-15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmpm.v5i1.173
27. Shapovalov V., Osyntseva A., Veits O. et al. Multidisciplinary Study of Alcohol Abuse from the Perspective of Pharmaceutical Law and Forensic Pharmacy. SSP Modern Law and Practice. 2024. Vol. 4. No 1. Р. 1-16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmlp.v4i1.133
28. Shapovalov V., Veits O., Diachenko A. Modern Illegal Drug Business in Ukraine: Multidisciplinary Study of the System of Prevention and Countermeasures Against the Legalization of Income (Money Laundering) Obtained by Criminal Means. SSP Modern Law and Practice. 2024. Vol. 4. No 2. Р. 1-27. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmlp.v4i2.145
29. Shapovalov V., Veits O. Medical and Pharmaceutical Law in Erasmus+: Study of the Disciplines by Medical Students as a Basis for Training of Healthcare Professionals in Prevention of Medical Errors and Crimes. SSP Modern Law and Practice. 2024. Vol. 4. No 4. Р. 1-17. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmlp.v4i4.169
30. Ryabukha O. COVID-19 Pandemic Encourages to Deepen the Study of the Thyroid Gland: Correlation Portraits as a Means of Research in Different Directions of Follicular Thyrocytes Activities. SSP Modern Pharmacy and Medicine. 2022. Vol. 2. No. 1. Р. 1-21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmpm.v2i1.40
31. Shapovalov V., Veits O. Forensic and Pharmaceutical, Criminal and Legal, Social and Economic Study of the Conditions, that Cause Bribery Corruption in the System of Legal Relations "Doctor-Patient-Investigator-Lawyer". SSP Modern Law and Practice. 2022. Vol. 2. No 3. Р. 1-16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmlp.v2i3.57
32. Shapovalov V.V., Linskiy I.V. Evidence-based pharmacy: definition of the control regime for the medicines in the pharmaceutical correction schemes of the opioid dependence. Farmatsevtychnyi Zhurnal. 2013. No 3. P. 35-40. URL: https://pharmj.org.ua/index.php/journal/article/view/39924
33. Shapovalov V. Intentional Homicides Committed While Under the Influence of Alcohol During the Pandemic: An Interdisciplinary Forensic and Pharmaceutical, Forensic and Medical, Forensic and Narcological, Criminalistics, And Criminal and Law Study of a Contemporary Probl. SSP Modern Law and Practice. 2022. Vol. 2. No. 4. Р. 1-32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmlp.v2i4.74
34. Ugarte M.P., Achilleos S., Quattrocchi A. et al. Premature mortality attributable to COVID-19: potential years of life lost in 17 countries around the world, January–August 2020. BMC Public Health. 2022. Vol. 22. Issue 54. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-12377-1
35. Rahota D., Rahota R. G., Camarasan A., et al. Premature Mortality Excess Rates Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Analysis Conducted in Bihor County, Romania. Cureus.16.05.2024. Vol. 16. Issue 5. e60403. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.60403
36. Incidence of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections in ukraine. Center for public health of the ministry of health of ukraine. 2025. URL: https://phc.org.ua/kontrol-zakhvoryuvan/inshi-infekciyni-zakhvoryuvannya/zakhvoryuvanist-na-grip-ta-grvi-v-ukraini
37. 19,390 new cases of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections were registered in the capital during the week. Official portal of Kyiv city council Kyiv city state administration. 17.03.2025. URL: https://kyivcity.gov.ua/news/za_tizhden_u_stolitsi_zareyestrovano_19390_novikh_vipadkiv_zakhvoryuvannya_na_grip_ta_grvi/
38. Have Pfizer’s huge profits worth usd 30 billion from COVID vaccines been taxed in Europe?
05.05.2023. URL: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2023-001479_EN.html
39. Special report 19/2022: EU COVID-19 vaccine procurement. ECA. 2022. 51 р. URL: https://www.eca.europa.eu/Lists/ECADocuments/SR22_19/SR_EU_COVID_vaccine_procurement_EN.pdf
40. Pharma’s Pandemic Profits Pharma profits from COVID-19 vaccines. Amsterdam: SOMO. February 2023. URL: https://www.somo.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/SOMO-Pharmas-Pandemic-Profits.pdf
41. Chee F.Y. and Kar-Gupta S. Court annuls European Commission's refusal to disclose COVID texts. Reuters. 14.05.2025. URL: https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/eu-court-annuls-rejection-bid-eus-von-der-leyen-vaccine-messages-with-pfizer-2025-05-14/
42. Smialek J. Court Sides with New York Times Over Access to E.U. Covid Vaccine Messages. The New York Times. 14.05.2025. URL: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/14/world/europe/eu-texts-covid-new-york-times.html
43. Kucheriava, K., & Kostrjukova, V. (2024). Currency Exchange Rate Formation in Ukraine: Problems and Ways of Optimization. SSP Modern Economics, State and Public Administration, 3(1), 1–12. DOI:https://doi.org/10.53933/mespa.v3i1.128
44. Drobiazko, L. (2023). Transformation of Labor Market of Ukraine: Professional Qualifications Assessment. SSP Modern Economics, State and Public Administration, 2(1), 1–11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53933/mespa.v2i1.93
45. Babaiev, V., Babaieva, I. (2023). Public Employment Policy in Conditions of Uncertainty and Digital Changes. SSP Modern Economics, State and Public Administration, 2(1), 1–10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53933/mespa.v2i1.95
46. Kucheriava, K., Korolyov, A. (2023). Standard of Living of the Population in Foreign Countries. SSP Modern Economics, State and Public Administration, 2(1), 1–10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53933/mespa.v2i1.92
47. Stativka, N., Hordiienko, Y. (2023). Model of an Active Policy of Combatants’ Social Protection in Ukraine. SSP Modern Economics, State and Public Administration, 2(2), 1–11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53933/mespa.v2i2.120
48. Oliver S.E., Wallace M., Twentyman E. et al. Development of COVID-19 vaccine policy - United States, 2020-2023. Vaccine. 17 September 2024. Vol. 42. Supplement 3. е125512. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.12.022
49. Jones-Jack N., Kalach R.El., Yassanye D. et al. Advancing public health informatics during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned from a public-private partnership with pharmacies. Vaccine. 17 September 2024. Vol. 42. Supplement 3. е125667. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.01.092
50. Aizenman N. COVID-19 Deaths Top 1 Million Worldwide. How These 5 Nations Are Driving The Pandemic. NPR. 28.09.2020. URL: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/09/28/916984072/covid-19-deaths-top-1-million-how-these-5-countries-are-driving-the-pandemic
51. Cucinotta D, Vanelli M. WHO Declares COVID-19 a Pandemic. Acta Biomed. 2020. Vol. 91. No 1. P. 157-160. URL: https://www.mattioli1885journals.com/index.php/actabiomedica/article/view/9397
52. Nevzghoda, O., Nevzghoda, A. (2025). Modern Treatment of Inflammatory Pulmonary Pathology: Theoretical Justification and Implementation of the Extracorporeal Blood Hyperthermia Apparatus into Medical Practice. SSP Modern Pharmacy and Medicine, 5(2), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmpm.v5i2.189
53. Banerjee А., Pasea L., Harris S. et al. Estimating excess 1-year mortality associated with the COVID-19 pandemic according to underlying conditions and age: a population-based cohort study. The lancet. Vol. 395. Issue 10238. P1715-1725. URL: https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(20)30854-0/fulltext
54. Shapovalov V.V. The study of certain aspects of the modernization of the state of the healthcare industry of Ukraine on the basis of medical and pharmaceutical law. Farmatsevtychnyi Zhurnal. 2013. No 6. Р. 28-35. URL: https://pharmj.org.ua/index.php/journal/article/view/359
55. Shapovalov V. Multidisciplinary Study of Medical Errors in the System of Legal Relations Between "Doctor-Patient-Pharmacist-Advocate" During the Circulation of Drugs. SSP Modern Pharmacy and Medicine. 2023. Vol. 3. No 2. P. 1-10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmpm.v3i2.88
56. Shapovalova V. (2025). Human Metapneumovirus: Modern Challenges for Medicine and Pharmaceutics. SSP Modern Pharmacy and Medicine, 5(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmpm.v5i2.180
57. Osyntseva, A. (2025). Current Trends in Tuberculosis Pharmacotherapy: Availability of Essential Medicines. SSP Modern Pharmacy and Medicine, 5(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.53933/sspmpm.v5i2.188
58. Rahota D., Rahota R.G., Camarasan A. et al. Premature Mortality Excess Rates Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Analysis Conducted in Bihor County, Romania. Cureus. May 16, 2024. Vol. 16. No 5. e60403. URL:https://www.cureus.com/articles/249355-premature-mortality-excess-rates-before-and-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-a-comparative-analysis-conducted-in-bihor-county-romania#!/
59. Pfizer and BioNTech complete Phase 3 study of Covid-19 vaccine candidate, meeting all primary efficacy endpoints. Pfizer. 2024. URL: https://www.pfizer.ua/%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%88%D1%96-%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B8/pfizer-%D1%82%D0%B0-biontech-%D0%B4%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%8F%D0%B3%D0%BB%D0%B8-%D1%83%D1%81%D0%BF%D1%96%D1%85%D1%83-%D0%B2-%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B7%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B1%D1%86%D1%96-%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BA%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B8-%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B8-covid-19
60. Aleshko D., Sanzharovska L. Changes in the regulation of the pharmaceutical sector: what to expect from the market? LA law firm. URL:16.09.2024. URL: URL: https://www.legalalliance.com.ua/publikacii/zmini-v-reguluvanni-farmsektoru-cogo-ocikuvati-rinku/
61. The Ministry of Health has already spent 40% of the funds under the coronavirus vaccine procurement program. LB.UA. 30.03.2021. URL: https://lb.ua/society/2021/03/30/481077_moz_vitrativ_40_koshtiv.html
62. Solonina E. COVID-19 vaccine for Ukraine: who buys, who will earn and is there corruption? 12.02.2021. URL: https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/covid-19-vaccine-for-ukraine-who-buys-who-earns-and-corruption/31098361.html
63. Pierson В. Kansas accuses Pfizer of misleading public about COVID vaccine in lawsuit. Reuters. 17.06.2024. URL: https://www.reuters.com/legal/kansas-accuses-pfizer-misleading-public-about-covid-vaccine-lawsuit-2024-06-17/
64. I was desperate for the AstraZeneca vaccine to succeed. Then I became alarmed by what I saw. The Telegraph. 25.01.2025. URL: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/24/dr-sue-pavord-alarmed-results-astrazeneca-vaccine/
65. The Ministry of Health of Ukraine signed a contract with Pfizer for the supply of COVID-19 vaccines. Ministry of Health of Ukraine. 23.11.2021. URL: https://moz.gov.ua/uk/moz-pidpisalo-kontrakt-iz-pfizer-na-postachannja-vakcini-vid-covid-19
66. Zagorodnya I. Not within the framework of COVAX: the first batch of Pfizer vaccine purchased at state expense has arrived in Ukraine. TSN. 26.05.2021. URL: https://tsn.ua/ukrayina/ne-v-ramkah-covax-do-ukrayini-pribula-persha-partiya-vakcini-pfizer-zakuplena-za-derzhavniy-kosht-1791838.html
67. Roadmap for the introduction of a vaccine against acute respiratory disease COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and mass vaccination in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine in 2021-2022 (updated). Approved by the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated December 24, 2020 No. 3018. Version dated 12/24/2020. 30 p. URL: https://moz.gov.ua/uploads/5/27921-dn_3018_24_12_2020_dod.pdf
68. Oxfam International. 16.11.2021. URL: https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/pfizer-biontech-and-moderna-making-1000-profit-every-second-while-worlds-poorest
69. Esther de Haan. Big Pharma raked in USD 90 billion in profits with COVID-19 vaccines. Somo. 27.02.2023. URL: https://www.somo.nl/big-pharma-raked-in-usd-90-billion-in-profits-with-covid-19-vaccines/
70. Stasenko T., Artyukh T. Why does a pharmaceutical company need a Corporate Code? the Pharma Media. 04/21/2021. URL: https://thepharma.media/uk/publications/articles/25519-dlja-chogo-farmzakladu-potriben-korporativnij-kodeks
71. Tokar O. TOP-5 ways to increase sales of OTC drugs. the Pharma Media. 03/22/2021. URL: https://thepharma.media/uk/publications/articles/25288-top-5-sposobov-povysit-prodazhi-ots-preparatov
72. Klimenyuk Y. Big ones, move over: new competitors of traditional TMs. The Pharma Media. 15.03.2021. URL: https://thepharma.media/uk/publications/articles/25231-bolshie-podvintes-novye-konkurenty-tradicionnyh-tm
73. Markovska A., Serdiuk O., Soldatenko I. Trust as a weapon of war: fighting corruption and corporate crime in Ukraine. Crime Law Soc Change. 2025. Vol. 83. No 12. Р. 1-17. URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10611-024-10191-5
74. The Eurobarometer Survey. European Union. Citizens’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU in 2024. EU. 2024. URL: https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/3217
75. Special Eurobarometer 548 Citizens’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU in 2024. EU. 2024.
76. Podoliak L. Pharmacies are ready to reduce drug prices: a declaration with proposals has been sent to the Ministry of Health, a step is expected from manufacturers. Ukrainian National News.10.02.2025. https://unn.ua/news/apteky-hotovi-znyzhuvaty-tsiny-na-liky-u-moz-napravyly-deklaratsiiu-z-propozytsiiamy-ochikuietsia-krok-vid-vyrobnykiv