Abstract

ANALYSIS OF THE REIMBURSEMENT POLICY IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES - THE POLICY OF POLAND, ROMANIA, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC, PART II

Albena Zlatareva, MD, PhD*

ABSTRACT

In light of the above, the purpose of this study is a comparative analysis between national models of reimbursement of medicines in selected Central and Eastern European countries - the policy of Poland, Romania, Hungary and the Czech Republic. For conducting comparative analysis of specific legislation and mechanisms of reimbursement of medicines in those eastern European countries was examined in the literature databases, legislative bases and national health reports. Individual European countries were affected to varying degrees by the global financial crisis, but as a result all had to take austerity measures in many policy areas, including on health services and medicines. Since 2008, the cost reduction measures have been taken in Europe, especially but not only in the CEEC. It is important to note that although at a slower pace, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe implement policies that increasingly bring them close in terms of reimbursement and to some extent in terms of access to medicines to the old member states.

Keywords: Financing, reimbursement, drug positive list, sharing schemes risk, health technologies assessment.