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07-03-2023

Almost half of the patients in Lithuania use reimbursed medicines

Iliustracija

Last year, around 1.2 million people in Lithuania used reimbursable medicines and medical aids. This is 42% of the population registered with primary health care institutions, according to an analysis carried out by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).  

According to the analysis of the consumption of reimbursable medicines and medical aids (MA) in 2022, 52% of the population of Vilnius, 54% of the population of Kaunas, 60% of the population of Klaipėda and 63% of the population of Šiauliai and Panevėžys purchased reimbursable medicines and MAs in the largest cities of Lithuania, including the population of the districts. Consumption of medicines in major cities was observed to have increased by 10-16% per year.

“It is obvious that the highest purchase rates were found in cities with a higher proportion of older people. For example, in Tauragė - 69%, in Šilutė - 68% and in Elektrėnai - 67%. The lowest rates are seen in municipalities with smaller populations. For example, in Neringa - 41%, and in Rietavas - 43%.” – says Irma Medžiaušaitė, Adviser to the Pharmaceuticals Reimbursement Division of the NHIF.   

According to the calculations made by the NHIF, last year the annual cost of reimbursable medicines per citizen was around EUR 380 from the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund. The citizens themselves paid about EUR 16 in premiums, while in the case where the patient's premium was covered by the state budget, the average premium per citizen was about EUR 56. In total, 341 000 patients were covered last year, that is 28% of patients consuming reimbursed medicines.

Pharmacies sell reimbursable medicines from different manufacturers but with the same active ingredient. The premiums people pay for them can vary considerably - some as much as twice.  Therefore, the first thing a pharmacist must do is to show each patient on the monitor all the reimbursable medicines or MAs of the same active substance from different manufacturers that are suitable for the prescription. As well as the prices and premiums for each of them. The medicines with the lowest premium shall always be displayed at the top of the monitor, on the first line. If the pharmacy does not have the medicine or MA with the lowest premium that day, the pharmacist must offer to order it and deliver it to the pharmacy within 2 days in urban areas and 4 days in rural areas.

“If patients choose the medicines with the lowest premiums in pharmacies, not only would this save household costs for patients, but it would also lead to a more rational use of the state budget, which covers patients' premiums for reimbursable medicines and medical aids. It is important to note that from 1 July this year, the state budget will also cover the premiums of patients who have incurred high costs since the beginning of the year by paying premiums for the cheapest medicines. After accumulating a basket of premiums of a fixed amount, these patients will not have to pay premiums for the cheapest medicines at the pharmacy until the end of the year”, - says I. Medžiaušaitė.

The NHIF points out that under the current procedure, all citizens aged 75 and over, as well as disabled persons and pensioners, do not have to pay premiums for reimbursable medicines and MAs if their income for the previous month was less than 100 % of the current year's level of the minimum consumption needs, which is currently EUR 354.

(Freepik photo)

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Last updated: 17-03-2023

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