ITALY ADDS 19 DRUGS TO REIMBURSEMENT LIST

The Italian pharmaceutical regulator, the AIFA, has added 19 drugs to the Prontuario, its reimbursement list.

The new drugs are the antihypertensives Bifrizide, Zantipride and Zoprazide; the anti-emetic Aloxi (palonosetron); the diabetes therapy Levemir (insulin detemir); and 11 generics for the treatment of a variety of disorders, including cystic fibrosis and ampicillin- and amoxicillin-resistant infections.

The development follows criticism of the Italian government by local generics industry association Assogenerici and the European Generic Medicines Association, accusing the authorities of not doing enough to promote the sector, especially at a time when it has pledged to cap public sector drug spending.

Italy introduced a new, cost-conscious reimbursement system in September 2001, which provides the majority of prescribed generics free of charge under the national health system. Reimbursement levels are based on the average price of equivalent products that are at least 20% cheaper than the original product.