Good News for Patients: Record Number of Medications Reimbursed from July

Lithuanian patients will benefit from expanded medication coverage as a record number of 2,244 pharmaceutical preparations become reimbursable starting July 1, 2026. This significant update to the list of compensated medications is projected to save the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund around 6.7 million euros in the latter half of the year.

Anželika Oraitė, director of the Health Ministry's Pharmaceutical Policy Department, highlighted the milestone, stating, "In the price list of compensated medicines entering into force in July, we are counting a record number of medicines – as many as 2,244 positions. We are also pleased with the consistently growing number of drug groups, and 280 new medicines by brand name have been added to the price list. This price list is a consistent step towards gradually improving the accessibility of compensated medicines for patients."

The updated price list includes 373 additionally imported medicines, an increase of 67 compared to the first half of the year. These reimbursed drugs belong to 910 drug groups, an addition of nine new groups. Furthermore, 427 drugs have seen a price reduction, while nearly 1,500 prices remain unchanged. The expansion is attributed to falling original drug prices in reference countries, the inclusion of new generic drugs, and increased competition among manufacturers of generic drugs.

Evaldas Stropus, head of the State Patient Fund's Medication Compensation Department, emphasized the mutual benefits. "The update of the price list is beneficial for both patients and the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund. Greater competition among manufacturers allows for lower drug prices and, at the same time, expands the choice of reimbursed medicines available to patients. The saved fund resources can be used to compensate for new medicines and strengthen the compensation system, thus benefiting the entire health system," he said.

Additionally, patients who have accumulated a co-payment basket within a calendar year will have their co-payments covered by the state budget until year-end, provided they purchase medicines with the lowest co-payment. The 2026 basket size is set at 70.02 euros. This basket accumulates for all individuals insured under compulsory health insurance from the beginning of each year. Individuals can check their accumulated co-payments through their personal e-health account.