The updated price list for reimbursable medicines came into force in Lithuania in July and has received mixed reactions.
Ministry of Health’s Perspective
According to the Ministry of Health of Lithuania, the new mechanism for selecting reimbursable medications was introduced last year to rationalize the use of the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund and to expand the availability of reimbursable medicines and the number of patients receiving them. This mechanism sets a maximum “ceiling” for patients’ surcharges based on the five lowest prices of medicines in the EU.
Concerns from the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
However, the updated list raises concerns for the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers. They state: “The new list of reimbursable medicines in Lithuania includes fewer products. This is due to Lithuania’s failure to adjust its pricing regime, making our country unattractive for manufacturers. Patients complain that they must purchase the medicines they need without reimbursement.”
Laisvida Krušienė, chairwoman of the board of the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, highlights that the requirement not to raise the price of reimbursable medicines is causing problems. Currently, the cost of reimbursable medications in Lithuania is set based on the average price of the active ingredient, calculated from the lowest prices in five European Union countries. According to the Association, this procedure does not attract manufacturers.
Norameda’s Perspective
Audrius Leiva, Norameda’s General Manager, notes that the system of setting prices for generic medicines based on other EU markets has been in place for some time, and this year is no exception. However, he acknowledges that the requirement for Lithuania to have the one of lowest prices in European Union makes it difficult to secure supplies due to the small market size, especially when competing with larger markets like neighbor Poland.
“We are aware of the challenges and are actively working to address them. It is not profitable for manufacturers to supply small volumes at low prices, and ensuring a stable supply is difficult. However, we are relying on our team and looking for ways to expand the range, be flexible, and optimize our company resources. We are committed to being as responsive and adaptable as possible.”