Premier Stands behind Kalavska, Wants to See Analysis of Pharmaceutical Industry

Bratislava, November 20 (TASR) - Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini (Smer-SD) wants to look at the functioning of the pharmaceutical industry in Slovakia, and therefore has asked the Finance Ministry and the Finance Ministry's Financial Policy Institute (IFP) for a comprehensive financial analysis of the pharmaceutical industry in Slovakia, TASR learnt on Tuesday. According to the premier, the material should show why pharmaceutical companies are not willing to reduce the prices of medicines. He also said that Health Minister Andrea Kalavska's (a Smer-SD nominee) decision not to sign the revision of payments for medicines that are reimbursed from public health insurance was correct and she has his full confidence. "We'll look for a way to deal with pharmaceutical companies that receive €1.3 billion of our money every year and I don't know if they pay any taxes here at all or employ thousands of people as other companies do in industry and other sectors. We must look there, not to file a criminal complaint against the minister," stated the prime minister in response to the criticism presented by the Opposition Freedom and Solidarity Party (SaS). The liberals say that by not signing the revision the health sector loses €64-72 million a year. Pellegrini didn't want to talk about specific steps towards pharmaceutical companies. SaS called on the health minister to resign, for the failure to sign the revision proposed by Dovera health insurance company. At the same time, it filed a criminal complaint against her for obstructing the role of a public official. Kalavska explained her decision by saying that she is protecting patients. She said she understands the calculations of the Value for Money Unit and also said they are correct, but she also added that as a doctor she would never sign a document that would force patients to pay in some cases an additional €2,000. am/mcs