News
Glaucoma and ADHD reimbursement criticised
The new lists of reimbursed drugs released for public consultation by the Ministry of Health on 5 January lack drugs for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and employ unclear criteria in setting the new price limit for glaucoma medicines, interested parties have complained.
The Ministry has added a new glaucoma drug to the reimbursement list, Azopt (brynzolamide), in addition to Trusopt (dorzolamide), already on the list, manufactured by Merck & Co. (MSD). Both medicines are from the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor class and the new price limit for both of them was calculated on the basis of the Defined Daily Dose of Azopt. Consequently, the reimbursement limit for Trusopt has decreased by approx. 30%. In the opinion of Karol Poznanski from MSD, speaking to Pharma Poland News, the change is unfavourable for both patients and the National Health Fund (NFZ). Patients who continue using Trusopt will have to pay more from their own pocket in addition to the reimbursement. Patient contribution to the price of this drug will increase to 68%. Therefore, most of the more than 120,000 people currently using it in Poland will probably switch to Azopt, which is about PLN 10 (€2.6) cheaper for them than Trusopt. Assuming that Azopt becomes the dominant drug in glaucoma treatment in the next several months, the NFZ’s reimbursement expenses will increase by PLN 2.10 (€0.5) for every package of the drug, which translates into a PLN 2.4m (€0.6m) rise in annual terms, according to MSD calculations.
The “Ponad” Association of Assistance for Hyperactive Children criticises the complete lack of any medication for ADHD, which discriminates the over 70,000 children with ADHD in Poland. The Association claims to have already discussed the necessity of reimbursement of ADHD drugs, as they are very expensive for the average Polish family, with the Ministry of Health. One of the two available costs PLN 300 (€78) and the second is twice as expensive. Even reimbursement of half their price would be a great help, according to the Association. It would cost the NFZ approx. PLN 10m (€2.6m).