"The possibilities of lowering the age criterion for free medicines are under consideration at the Ministry of Health, are at the stage of financial analysis and thus the timing of their possible introduction is unknown," writes Deputy Health Minister Maciej Miłkowski in response to MP Monika Wielichowska's interpellation on the extension of the free medicine program to people over 70.
Health Ministry considers extending free drug program to people over 70
Published March 24, 2023 09:10
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The parliamentary intervention was in response to the coalition's "To Help the Dependent" appeal. An opinion poll commissioned by the coalition showed that drug expenses burden the household budget of almost 95 percent of the elderly. The survey showed that 80 percent of seniors happened not to buy prescriptions due to drug prices. The most difficult situation is among seniors aged 70-75.
"The extension of access to free medicines to the younger population of seniors has already been announced several times. Therefore, it is necessary that this project be implemented as soon as possible. The authors of the appeal emphasize that their intention is not to discuss specific products that are or could be on the "S" list, but to debate a systemic solution that improves seniors' access to benefits and relieves the burden on their household budgets," the interpellation reads.
In response, Deputy Health Minister Maciej Miłkowski pointed to the results of the survey, which he said may not be entirely reliable, due to the unknown method of validating the content of the questions asked to respondents.
"As we know, most of the elderly perceive even dietary supplements as medicines (due to the forms corresponding to those of medicines - irritants, tablets). High costs incurred by patients in pharmacies are generated mainly due to the prescription of non-reimbursable drugs, over-the-counter (OTC)drugs and even dietary supplements," noted Maciej Miłkowski.
The deputy health minister stressed that the ministry cannot influence the prices of non-reimbursed drugs. Thus, the "S" list can only include preparations that have been covered by reimbursement. However, each expansion of the Medicines 75+ list is preceded by an assessment by the Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tarification of the group of medicines indicated by the National Health Fund as most frequently used by seniors.
"On the other hand, the issues of expanding the list of Medicines 75+ to include new active substances from the list of reimbursed medicines or the possibility of lowering the age criterion for entitlement to free medicines are under consideration at the Ministry of Health, they are at the stage of financial analyses and thus the date of their possible introduction is not known," the Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Health indicates.
Patients over the age of 75 gained access to free drugs on September 1, 2016. A total of about PLN 4.4 billion has so far been allocated for reimbursement of preparations from the "S" list. Approximately 3.8 million recipients have benefited, and nearly 400 million packages of medicines have been dispensed to them.
