Issues with Drug Prices in the GHS - HIO Plans Review

The Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) is planning a review of drug prices within the GHS, as issues have arisen due to changes in drug pricing supplements, particularly after patent expiry and the availability of similar products. The HIO fully covers at least one drug per category, but patients will bear the difference in price if they choose a more expensive drug. Patients have the right to switch to an equivalent drug or one from the same family, in consultation with their doctor. The price adjustment for drugs that have lost patent protection was agreed in 2023 with a new contribution formula. However, it was found in 2026 that the formula was not working effectively. The HIO will meet with the pharmaceutical industry and OSAC in March to review the formulas for these drugs. The aim is to ensure patient access to affordable medicines, while also ensuring the sustainability of the GHS. Sophia Petridou, a HIO official, stressed that price increases primarily affect drugs within the same family following patent expiry and the availability of similar products on the market. The HIO strives to find a balance between the need for financial viability and ensuring patient access to pharmaceutical care.