On Wednesday, the government approved a draft law issued by the Health Ministry banning distribution companies from exporting drugs which are wholly or partially covered by public health insurance. Subsequently, only the producers or registration holders would be allowed to export them. Thus, the distributors may only sell medicines to pharmacies. Due to drug exports abroad, Slovak patients have missed out on medicines for treating epilepsy, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, as well as multiple drugs for oncological diseases and medicines for preventing blood clots. In order to come into force, the amendment will have to be approved by the parliament.
Mojmir Prochazka, Photo: Pixabay.com/FraukeFeind
