Romanian Health Minister Talks ’08 Outlook

In an interview granted to MEDIAFAX Nicolaescu showcased the new projects for 2008, as well as the programs initiated in 2007, which will be continued in this year as well.

 

"Thus, in the first quarter we will complete the new frame-contract (COCA) for the grant of medical assistance. The document will contain new elements of flexibility, where we will emphasize the patient and not the bureaucracy of the system. We will try to make provisions to make the system work for the people. The new COCA will come into force in the second quarter," Nicolaescu said.

 

January will also see the new list of compensated and free medicine. However, in the first days of the year, there will be some changes on a specialty commission level, since there have been several violations registered, Nicolaescu added.

 

According to Nicolaescu, funds allocated to compensated medicine will hike by 18% in 2008 compared to 2007.

 

"We want to double the number of medicine that might be included on the A list with 90% compensation, specifically to increase the access of patients to medicine, especially since most consumers are the poor, pensioners with low income," the minister added. The B list will include generic medicine, other than the ones included on the A list, as well as brands, namely original products," Nicolaescu said.

 

Also in the first quarter of 2008, specialists within the Ministry of Health will discuss a new method to calculate the price of medicine, meaning that the ceiling will be lowered for the calculation of the first generic.

 

Nicolaescu said that the first quarter of the year would also see the completion, as a first, of the “much disputed” minimal basic service pack, applicable at the same time as COCA. In addition, an emergency service pack will be compiled.