[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”!!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”!!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TO BE EDITED – SUMMARY – Click on the WHEEL icon to open the textarea where you can paste or type your summary. The summary condenses the main points for the news that starts below. The summary is in bold and not longer than 300 characters, including spaces. The counter at the bottom can help.” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||20px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
North Macedonia expanded the positive list of medicines by adding 9 generic medicines, equivalent to 87 medicine names for blood pressure, heart disease, anti-platelet agents, drugs for the treatment of depression and dementia. Health Minister Dr Taravari thanked WHO for their support in this work.<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TO BE EDITED – TEXT OF THE NEWS – BLOCK 1 – Click on the WHEEL icon to open the textarea where you can paste or type your news. PLEASE USE ONLY THE FEATURED IMAGE FUNCTION on your right column to add the image.” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The Ministry of Health of North Macedonia reviewed and expanded<\/a> the positive list of medicines by adding 9 generics, equivalent to 87 drugs in different forms, strengths and packaging, including those for for blood pressure, heart disease, anti-platelet agents, drugs for the treatment of depression and dementia. The Positive List has been established as a mechanism to determine which medicines are fully or partially reimbursed by the national health insurance, and its revision promises to alleviate the financial burden on patients who have long faced high out-of-pocket costs for outpatient medicines.\u00a0<\/p>\n On September 11, 2024, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia held an event<\/a> dedicated to the positive list of medicines. As reported by WHO<\/a>, the meeting brought together some of the country\u2019s most influential political and health-care figures to address the persistent funding challenges that complicate the consistent addition of innovative medicines to the Positive List. Despite conditional budgets and support from the Health Insurance Fund, the allocation remains insufficient, making it difficult to keep pace with the need for newer, high-cost medicines.<\/p>\n Hristijan Mickoski,<\/strong> Prime Minister of North Macedonia, underlined the significance of the update, calling it a critical achievement in the Government\u2019s efforts to ensure health-care equity and stated:<\/p>\n This update demonstrates our dedication to addressing long-standing issues in the health-care system, but we must continue our efforts to ensure that all citizens have access to the medicines they need without facing financial hardship.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Dr Arben Taravari,<\/strong> Minister of Health, explained that it is crucial to foster deeper cooperation between the competent institutions and all key stakeholders and said:<\/p>\n It is crucial to promote joint interdepartmental cooperation within the government and involve all relevant institutions in joint efforts for better access to medicines\u2026 This joint approach will allow us to more effectively address existing challenges and implement sustainable solutions. Indeed, the recent revision of the positive list is proof of our commitment, but it is just the beginning. It\u2019s about more than politics \u2013 it\u2019s about people.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The Ministry of Health concluded<\/a> this was a significant relief for patients, which will leave a total of one million euros with citizens.<\/p>\n\n
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