Press statement by the Minister of Health and Social Protection Ogerta Manastirliu:

I am here to communicate the latest government decision to the citizens, which reflects price index for prescription drugs included on the state drug reimbursement scheme, a decision with an estimated budget saving effect of over $7.5 million.

The council of Ministers’ Decision: “On an amendment to Decision no. 218 dated 20.04.2018 on the drug reimbursement scheme” marks a further step towards accomplishing the major objective of our government program for universal health coverage.

The amount of $7,5 million saved from public funds under this decision will be used to increase the number of beneficiaries under the state drug reimbursement scheme and expand treatment options for the chronically ill patients.

In the meantime, we ensure the medicine safety and quality under this package worth $100 million funded annually by the state budget.

The decision adopted by the Albanian government yesterday will enter into force on 1 March 2019.

In order to ensure on-time and quality service delivery to citizens, all pharmacies contracted by the Compulsory Healthcare Insurance Fund have been notified so that they assume the necessary measures to reflect the new drug prices.

A larger number of both insured and uninsured citizens, children, or elderly, people with disabilities or households benefiting social assistance will benefit from the yesterday’s decision.

Thanks to government policies on universal health coverage, some 498,000 citizens benefit now reimbursed medicines for free.

We saved $24 million a year from uninsured citizens who used to pay in order to receive medication for chronic diseases.

We are committed to expand coverage and effective treatment therapy under the state drug reimbursement scheme.

Therefore, just like we for first time provided a 100% coverage for Herceptin therapy treatment for breast cancer treatment under special agreements, this year too we will implement specific new accords to provide broader coverage for chronic and tumour disease treatment.

Transparency, accountability and the citizens’ safety remain our guiding principles, therefore we will inform the citizens about every step we will take and that directly affects the health services they benefit.