$ 600 million EUR for patients’ health: To whom are funds used for?

The number of patients increases, funding increases

The number of users of reimbursable drugs has increased by close to 20 percent over the last five years. – up to almost 1.3 million. of the population. According to Lina Škiudaitė, Advisor to the Patient Fund (VLK) Medicines, it shows two main trends: the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and the state’s efforts to ensure that more and more patients can receive the necessary treatment by spending less personal funds.

In 2024, almost 50 million were allocated to the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund for medicines and medical aid measures, and EUR 593 million was spent per year. euros. The cost of this fund has increased three times over the last 10 years.

« This is a record amount reflecting the rising morbidity and at the same time expressing increasing drug accessibility to patients, including medical progress and growing costs for new medicines, especially oncological and chronic diseases, which are increasingly involved in the compensation system. Patients’ ability to obtain the treatment they need, ”says VLK spokeswoman.

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The highest cost is oncological and cardiological drugs

According to L. Škiudaitė, the largest part of the budget for reimbursement drugs is spent on the treatment of oncological diseases – about 250 million. euros per year. Their demand is constantly growing as medical progress allows more and more new drugs to improve patients’ quality of life and ensure the effectiveness of treatment. In addition, these drugs are mostly original, which means expensive because their research and production require large investment and there is no competition. It is estimated that in 2024 more than 51 thousand Antinavic drugs were used in Lithuania. patients.

The highest mortality rate in Lithuania is recorded due to cardiovascular disease. There are more than 900,000 in our country. patients with cardiological diseases, so reimbursement of cardiological medicines is taken by every other resident of the country. Paradoxically, the cost of this group of medicines, according to VLK specialists, remains optimal – last year it took just over $ 81 million to compensate for cardiological drugs. euros.

« There are long -established drugs that can be supplied at lower prices on the market, and there are many generics that are an equivalent alternative to expensive original medicines. The price of such competition drugs remains relatively lower, » explains L. Škiudaitė.

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Growing up the need for medical aids

In addition to medication, more and more fund is used to compensate for medical aid measures. 2024. The reimbursable measures were used by about 225 thousand. patients, and the amount allocated to them was close to $ 58 million. euros. This means that the need for medical aids has increased almost double over the last four years.

This group includes a variety of nursing and medical care such as diapers, enteral power supplies, glucose measuring systems, wound care products, etc. Most fund funds are used to patients with diabetes, which compensate for insulin pumps, sensors, ribbons and other necessary measures. « For example, one patient’s permanent glucose monitoring system may require about 400 euros within three months, which is why the inclusion of such measures in the compensation system contributes significantly to the reduction of patient costs, » says L. Škiudaitė.

According to her, the need for nursing measures is growing particularly – more and more patients are using reimbursement diapers, catheters and other supplies that improve the quality of life. Most of these patients have chronic illnesses or are older, so nursing measures are necessary.

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How are medication premiums reduced?

In addition to the compulsory health insurance fund to reimburse the drug costs, another $ 35 million. EUR 1 million last year was allocated from the state budget for patients’ bonuses to cover medication.

According to VLK spokeswoman, for the fifth year, special attention is paid to socially sensitive groups. For people over 75, people with low -income people with disabilities and old -age pensions are subject to a complete bonus coating system, which allows reimbursement medicines at no additional cost. For this 2024. 31.5 million. compared to 2023 – close to 24 million. euros.

In addition, $ 3.6 million is supplemented to promote rational medication. Last year, last year it was intended to cover the premiums of those patients, which chose medicines with the lowest premium and accumulated a set amount of bonuses.

« This benefit, which has been introduced from July 2023, is one of the most important reducing measures for the patient.