The Ministry of Health decided to extend the list of compensated drugs by 12 medicines. Seven of these will be compensated in the amount of 70%, two preparations in the amount of 30%, while three types of drugs will be fully compensated. Minister of Health Ruxanda Glavan told a news conference that the goal is to increase the population’s access to drugs, IPN reports.

Persons diagnosed with depression and Alzheimer will benefit from drugs compensated in the amount of 30% for the first time. The preparations used to treat cystic fibrosis, epidermolysis bullosa and acute respiratory infections in children will be provided free to patients. Other types of compensated drugs are intended for treating neurological and gastrological diseases and for relieving pain in persons suffering from cancer and will be compensated in the amount of 70%.

Ruxanda Glavan said that following the new changes, 200,000 children will benefit from treatment with Ibuprofen during epidemics of acute viral infections, while 33 children suffering from cystic fibrosis and 70 patients with epidermolysis bullosa will have access to free treatment.

“120,000 adults with pain in the lumbar region will have access to treatment. 50,000 patients who live with cancer and need pain relievers from today will benefitted from compensated medicines. Of the 522 million lei allocated for compensating drugs in 2017, only 238 million lei has been used and we could thus extend the list of compensated drugs,” stated Ruxanda Glavan.

The 12 added medicines are: Colistimethatum natricum, Cetirizinum, Ibuprofen, Tizanidinum, Meloxicam, Ketoprofen, Rabeprazol, Metronidazol, Tetraciclin, Furosemid, Escitalopram, and Donepezilum.