A total of 461 low-cost medicines get up to 360% increase under the EOF decision.
Of the approximately 900 medicines that requested an increase, the National Medicines Agency (EOF) decided to give the “green light” to 461 after evaluating the relevant applications. According to the corresponding list published today, Thursday (6/20), the increases range from 4 to 360%.
It should be noted that the list includes important drugs for widespread use, such as antibiotics and insulins, but the highest increase is observed in the well-known antipsychotic drug based on the active ingredient haloperidol.
It should be noted that in accordance with the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers last February, these increases in the price of drugs are imperative, because cheap, necessary and proven long-term drugs for a number of diseases are at risk of being withdrawn from the market. As harmful and financially harmless as the manufacturing companies.
The Ministry of Health was forced to take corrective measures as a large number of drugs in previous Price Bulletins were priced below the average of the two lowest prices in Eurozone countries (Greece preparations are priced based on the average of the two lowest prices). Eurozone of countries).
And as a result, there have been significant protests and warnings from the pharmaceutical industry about withdrawal.
How much burden will fall on the citizens?
The increase in the prices of cheap drugs is expected to increase the participation of the insured and the final amount will be about 10 million euros.
However, in the long run, it will be beneficial – according to the calculations of the Ministry of Health – if cheap drugs are withdrawn from companies, they will be replaced by more expensive drugs, burdening both the drug budget and the pocket of the insured more. today.
In the final selection of drugs that have finally increased, the share of the drug in the market, its adequacy and, first of all, its price, especially up to 5 euros, have been taken into account.
However, this increase will burden the drug budget by 33 million euros, of which 23 million will be borne by EOPYY. But this amount will flow back to the pharmaceutical industry (through a refund mechanism)
In the coming days, it is expected that there will be protests by companies whose prescriptions will not increase, but at the same time, it is not excluded that more prescriptions will be included in the final selection of drugs with increased prices.