Ismaili: We're putting an end to abusive drug prices.

“For the Ministry of Health, the purpose of this instruction is twofold: trying to initially fix and create protective mechanisms for all health field contracting authorities for medical products so that contracted prices can be correct and to be at the level of a regional and European average; and not be the only place where prices of contracted medocial products can be multiple or abusive”, Ismaili said.

He explained that the proposed Administrative Guide to regulate prices for medical products determines the price limits that the MSH/or contracting authority will be allowed to buy, leaving space for competition, which of course should be conducted under this price, which will be considered maximum. Unfortunately, in Europe, only Kosovo and Belarus have not had mechanisms to regulate drug prices. Today, we should all be proud that, by introducing this administrative guide for fixing the price of medicines, Kosovo will say farewell to this misuse practice that has occurred”, Ismaili said.

The guidance, he explained, will stop anyone offering at higher prices than in the market and compare prices to countries in the region (Albania, Macedonia, Croatia, Montenegro), to prevent any kind of price abuse. The results of this Administrative Guide are expected to be: Lower prices, more drugs, sustainable supply, budget savings, healthier lives.

The consultant from the Kosovar Health Project (PSHK), Arian Jakupi, has broken down the content of the instruction, and has specified that this directive envisions the list of Essencial Esencial-A Bars, which is produced by the MS, or the competent authority for providing public health institutions, including three health care levels and the List of Esenscial B Bars, defined by the Health Insurance Fund, which are possible to be restored by the Fund. Representatives of the WTO Office in Kosovo, Health Insurance Fund, representatives of institutions and the pharmaceutical community, representatives of civil society, etc. have contributed to this public discussion. This UA project has been drafted in close co-operation with WHO experts, the Regional Office for Europe, as well as revised by the WTO Co-operative Centre with headquarters in Vienna for Prices and Repurchasing. This UA has also been revised by the World Bank's prime experts.