State Could Fully Compensate Medicines in Emergencies and Special Cases
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Loading... - Magda Balsam
- 28 Mar 2025
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The Latvian Ministry of Health has proposed amendments to the “Procedure for Reimbursement of Expenses for Outpatient Medicines and Medical Devices,” which would allow the state to fully compensate the cost of medications or medical devices for residents in emergency or exceptional cases. This initiative requires approval from a joint medical council of Latvia’s three university hospitals.
The proposed initiative aims to allocate one million euros from the state budget, specifically reserved for drug reimbursement, to fund this critical support. The focus is on situations where patients urgently require life-saving medications that are either not covered or only partially covered by the state. This initiative is designed to ensure that individuals facing medical emergencies have timely access to necessary treatments without the burden of financial constraints.
However, the compensation for these medications would be limited to a maximum of 12 months of treatment, ensuring that the program remains sustainable while addressing urgent healthcare needs.
In addition to the emergency medication provisions, the amendments also aim to provide state-funded glucose monitoring systems for specific groups of patients. This includes:
- Women with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes: Those receiving insulin therapy during pregnancy and up to 70 days postpartum.
- Organ Transplant Patients: Individuals who have undergone organ transplants will also benefit from these monitoring systems.
- Patients with Pancreatic Resection: Those who have had a pancreatic resection will be eligible for this support.
The Ministry of Health emphasizes that continuous glucose monitoring systems are vital for reducing hospitalization risks, improving patients’ quality of life, and facilitating everyday diabetes management. By providing these systems, the government aims to enhance the overall health outcomes for these vulnerable patient groups.
The proposed amendments also seek to alleviate some of the administrative burdens faced by pharmaceutical company representatives when submitting requests to the National Health Service (NVD) for reimbursement reviews. Specifically, in certain cases, applicants will no longer be required to submit an opinion from the State Agency of Medicines, streamlining the process and making it more efficient.
The draft amendments are currently open for public consultation until April 4th, allowing stakeholders, healthcare professionals, and the public to provide feedback on the proposed changes. This consultation period is crucial for ensuring that the amendments meet the needs of the community and effectively address the challenges faced in accessing necessary medications and medical devices.
The proposed amendments by the Ministry of Health represent a proactive step towards improving healthcare access in Latvia, particularly in emergency situations. By fully compensating medications and providing essential monitoring systems, the government aims to support patients in critical need and enhance their quality of life. As the public consultation period progresses, it will be important for the ministry to consider the feedback received to refine and implement these initiatives effectively.
