Sasko: Health Ministry Plans Much Harsher Rules for Re-exporting Medicines

Bratislava, 6 January (TASR) - The Health Ministry is proposing a "dramatic" tightening up of the rules for re-exporting medicines via an amendment to the Act on the scope and conditions for reimbursement for medicines, Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD) has stated in an interview with TASR, adding that the introduction of a criminal offence is also being considered during discussions with the Justice Ministry. "We have another major problem in Slovakia, one that simply hasn't been addressed for a long time, and that problem lies in the re-exporting of medicines. We're proposing a relatively dramatic tightening up of the export rules, and we're closely discussing this issue with the justice minister. We both agreed that writing out such prescriptions should be treated as criminal offence," said the health minister. The proposed changes are also aimed at making medicines more available for patients in Slovakia, stated Sasko, adding that despite its high expenditures on medicinal products, Slovakia ranks bottom in the EU in terms of the availability of innovative treatments. In addition, Sasko noted that state authorities have already begun applying sanctions. "For the first time, we've started imposing the fines," he said. The ministry is expecting strong pressure from interest groups in connection with the upcoming changes, but Sasko stressed that he "certainly won't back down" concerning the re-exporting of medicines. jrg/df