CHANGES TO CZECH REIMBURSEMENT COULD OBLIGE HIGHER PRESCRIPTION PRICES

Local reports indicate that changes to the Czech government's drug reimbursement framework could increase patients' spending on prescription drugs. Under new regulations, a system classifying 300 groups of drugs according to indication limits only one drug in the group to full reimbursement by the country's health insurance bodies. However, exemptions will be made if the fully reimbursed drugs are unsuitable for conditions suffered by certain patients, who will be able to receive more appropriate treatment without additional charging.

Czech drug spending increased slightly in January through September 2004, to some CZK40.7bn (US$1.77bn), a year-on-year rise of 4.5%. Officials have attributed the increase to costs associated with the country's entry to the European Union. Meanwhile, observers report that the new arrangements are likely to benefit producers whose drugs are selected for full reimbursement.