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23-10-2025

Research of the Health Insurance Fund: Do Lithuanian residents know how to avoid overpaying for reimbursable medicines?

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The latest survey of the country’s population commissioned by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) revealed that a large part of the public still lacks knowledge about the procedure for purchasing reimbursable medicines, the obligations of pharmacies, and the possibilities for reducing the cost of medicines. The survey results show that although some citizens have heard about the reimbursement of patient co-payments for medicines and medical aids and the accumulation of co-payment baskets, there is still a significant knowledge gap as the vast majority of citizens do not know how this system works and how to use it in practice. 

When asked about the obligation of pharmacies to ensure that customers do not overpay for reimbursable medicines, citizens most often stated that they knew that pharmacists were required to display all medicines with the same active ingredient from different manufacturers on a computer screen – this was indicated by 26% of respondents. Almost as many (23%) noted that pharmacists must first offer the medicine with the lowest co-payment. Only a small proportion of respondents (6%) knew that if the lowest-cost medicine is not available at the pharmacy on that day, it must be ordered and delivered to the pharmacy. Only 22% of respondents had sufficient knowledge to know that all of these answers were correct, while as many as 33% did not know any of them. This shows that as many as one-third of the population may overpay for treatment simply due to a lack of information.

An even more significant information gap was revealed when discussing the annual basket of reimbursable medicine co-payments. Only 13% of respondents stated that they were aware that after paying EUR 59.04 for reimbursable medicines with the lowest co-payment, they would not have to pay for them again until the end of the year, while another 22% stated that they had heard something about this. However, as many as 65% of respondents were unaware of this possibility. This measure was designed to protect people from high medication costs, but it cannot be effective if two-thirds of the population are unaware of their rights.

A survey conducted by “Spinter Tyrimai”, a public opinion and market research company, also showed that people are unclear about who is fully covered by the state for patient co-payments for reimbursable medicines. 11% of respondents believed that this assistance applies to insured persons aged 75 and older, 7% believed it applies to disabled persons with low insured income, and 6% believed it applies to low-income persons who have reached retirement age. Only one-fifth (20%) of respondents knew that none of these population groups are required to pay additional contributions, while as many as 59% admitted that they did not know the answer at all. This means that even those residents who are eligible for state assistance often lack information about how to take advantage of it.

NHIF representatives emphasize that the results of the survey are an important signal regarding the need for further information. If residents are unaware of patient co-payments or the accumulation of the basket, they risk overpaying for medicines. “Only by knowing their rights can people avoid overpaying and take advantage of all the guarantees provided by the state. Our duty is not only to ensure compensation mechanisms, but also to make sure that people know about them. Then this system will work effectively and provide real help to patients,” says Jolanta Normantienė, Head of the NHIF Communication Division.

The full survey of the country’s citizens on the availability of reimbursable medicines, commissioned by the NHIF, can be viewed here.

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Last updated: 20-11-2025

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