Romanian Health Ministry Asks Producers For 15% Lower Price On HIV, TB, Cancer Drugs

Romania's Health Ministry is asking producers to reduce the prices of drugs provided free of charge through the national healthcare programs for diabetes, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and cancer, by 15% starting with August 1, and distributors and pharmacists to reduce their markups.

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These suggestions are included in a draft ministerial order approving the methodology used in determining the list and discount prices for drugs provided to patients through national programs. The draft is up for public debate on the Health Ministry's website.

The ministry's suggestion is for the distributor's markup to range between 8% and exactly 20 lei (EUR4.74). It is currently limited to between 14% and RON30. Pharmacies will ne allowed to charge a markup between 15% and RON25, compared to the current 24%-RON35.

The new system would save the ministry more than EUR66 million, says the act.

The drug list in question, called C2, includes over 1400 drugs needed in the treatment of chronic illnesses, corresponding to around 400 international generic names. The draft says consumption of these drugs grew by 19% in 2009 from the previous year, and by 26% between 2009 and 2010.

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