Serbia adds 18 new drugs to state-funded list from Aug 17

Serbia is expanding its list of state-funded prescription medications, adding 18 new drugs effective August 17. Prime Minister Đuro Macut announced that the government will cover the majority of the costs for these treatments, easing the financial burden on citizens.

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from August 17, insured persons in Serbia will have the right to 18 new prescription drugs at the state's expense.

The new additions include 16 oral anticoagulants, crucial for preventing strokes and systemic embolisms in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, as well as treating deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. For these anticoagulants, the state will cover 70% of the cost, reducing patient co-payments from approximately 1,700 to 6,000 dinars per package to about 600 to 1,100 dinars.

Additionally, two medications for heart failure will be added to the list. These drugs, primarily used for diabetes, have shown significant effectiveness in a specific group of heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction. Previously costing between 2,500 and 4,500 dinars per package, patient co-payments for these will now be around 1,700 dinars.

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The state will cover 70 percent of the costs for 16 new oral anticoagulants, while citizens will pay 30 percent of the drug price.

This initiative follows a recent measure on August 1 that substantially reduced co-payments for 769 drugs on List A1, further demonstrating the government's commitment to improving access to essential medicines.

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For two drugs for the treatment of heart failure, the state will also cover a significant part of the costs.