No More Struggling to Find the Cheapest Medication: Alternatives and Hope for 11,000 Patients
Good news for those in need of medication: no matter which ailment you are looking to address, there are numerous alternatives available to you. Unfortunately, a lack of access to the cheapest medicines in pharmacies has been causing stress for thousands of patients. There is hope on the horizon, though; the National Health Service is expecting some form of relief in February and March.
Eleven Thousand Chronically Ill Patients Rely on Reimbursable Drugs
Every day, 11,000 chronically ill Latvian patients rely on drugs prescribed to address illnesses like heart failure, high blood pressure, and more. The good news is that the country is paying for 75% of the cost of medication for patients. A single pack of the cheapest reimbursable drugs only costs these individuals just over €2. But the bad news is that several pharmacies no longer have the necessary medications. In fact, two of the cheapest drugs have simply run out.
Calling for Information
Latvian Television (LTV) investigated the situation further by calling several pharmacies. Unfortunately, they were told that the pharmacies had no stock of Nebivolol, the medication designed to regulate blood pressure. There was more positive news from a different pharmacy chain, which still held a few packs of the drug. There are alternative medications available, which cost more and are not reimbursable, as well as the third cheapest drug, which is reimbursable, but costs the patient four times as much.
Discussions to Reclaim Access
The National Health Service (NVD) has deemed the current situation as normal. Discussions between state authorities and representatives of the two pharmaceutical manufacturers have taken place, with the former pushing for faster solutions. There appears to be a glimmer of hope, as one manufacturer promised to deliver on February 6, while the other is due to deliver on March 1.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the current lack of access to the cheapest reimbursable medications has been causing stress for thousands of patients. The National Health Service and two pharmaceutical manufacturers are currently working together to deliver solutions as soon as possible. With any luck, 11,000 chronically ill patients will have access to the cheapest medications as soon as February or March.