After reaching an agreement with medicine manufacturers and wholesale traders, in 2022 it is planned to reduce the price of several compensated medicines from 1% to 30% to provide residents with medicines as part of the state compensated system, as reported by the Latvian National Health Service (NVD).
This would allow using state budget finances for compensated medicines more effectively.
Currently there are 1 686 medicines and 305 medical devices on the list of compensated medicines in Latvia.
This year considerable improvements were performed for the treatment of rare diseases, composing a separate, single list of compensated medicines to treat patients suffering from rare diseases. Previously procurements of medicines for rare diseases was performed by the Children’s Clinical University Hospital and patients were able to access the medicines only in the hospital. The change of the usual method will improve medicine accessibility for patients, making it possible to acquire them at pharmacies located closer to patients’ homes.
The addition of 14 new medicines to the list of compensated medicines began in January. These include medicines to treat patients suffering from different metabolism-related problems (Fabry disease, Gaucher disease, Pompe disease, Phenylketonuria, Homocysteinuria, Urea cycle metabolic disorders, Mucopolysaccharidosis), as well as patients suffering from spinal muscle atrophy, muscular dystrophy and haemolytic uraemic syndrome.
According to data from NVD for last year’s used state financing for compensated medicines, in 11 months of 2021 medicines and medical devices (A, B, C and M medicine lists) worth EUR 194 million were provided to 689 000 patients. NVD predicts that in 12 months this amount may reach EUR 194 million.
Latvian government to expand the list of state-compensated medicines
