HPI

Discounts provided by pharmacies on pharmaceuticals which are being issued on prescription are according to the Ministry of Health bringing financial benefits, but despite this fact Ministry plans to introduce the ban of these bonuses. This should happen through the amendment to the act on pharmaceuticals. Ministry argues that loyalty system highly influences also the consumption of pharmaceuticals, which has been increasing. Executive manager of the network of pharmacies Dr. Max, Tomas Slechan, sees in the intention to prohibit the discounts especially the way how to cancel the competition between pharmacies.

Hospital in Zvolen, member of group Agel, in these days started the complete modernization of laboratories. The result of the reconstruction will be a common haematological and biochemical laboratory. Costs are estimated to amount of € 150 000. The aim of reconstruction is to build a modern operation and to increase overall efficiency by merging of two laboratories. Such modernized laboratory will in future enable to handle more than double of samples compared to current situation.

Health insurance companies are annually registering hundreds of reimbursement treatments abroad. As explained the spokeswoman of Všeobecná zdravotná poisťovňa - VšZP (General Health Insurance Company), Dana Gašparíková, their policyholders travelled especially to Czech republic, Austria and Germany. Similar countries are registered also by private health insurance companies Dôvera and Union. Policyholders were treated for example also in USA, Switzerland or Hungary. Insurance companies last year approved totally 746 proposals for treatment out of Slovakia. Most were approved by VšZP – 544, followed by Dôvera with 166 and Union with 36.

Slovak Chamber of Pharmacists repeatedly fights against so called “loyalty systems”. Discounts and bonuses used in some pharmacies in the competitive struggle are, according to the Chamber, changing the consumer behaviour of patients. This is turning more to saving than to expertise of issuing of pharmaceutical. The fact that people are more looking at discounts than at the professionalism is also shown by the July survey of the agency Focus. According to it about 25% of regular visitors of pharmacies are following the bonuses.

Slovak Chamber of Medical-Technical Workers is asking for responsible dealing with wage claims of all healthcare professionals. President of the Chamber, Jana Strápková pointed out that healthcare system does not include only nurses and doctors, but also laboratory stuff, assistants, rescuers, radiology technics, sanitary stuff, physiotherapists and other workers. Without their work patients would not be diagnosed, would not have necessary examinations, histology and CT examinations made and would not receive pharmaceuticals and medical material.

Medical Trade Union is concerned about the statement of the Association of Hospitals in Slovakia, which is considering the submission of the act on wages of doctors to General Prosecutor. According to the head of Trade Union this is the way how to disrupt the social peace, which was achieved by signing of memorandum between Medical Trade Union and Government at the end of last year. He pointed out that by this step the Association will assume responsibility for the situation that may arise. 

Union believes that health insurance sector with several insurance companies is more effective than system with one insurance company with no competition. Board member of Union, Boris Masloviec, specified that shareholder of the insurance company – Dutch health insurance company Achmea is analysing the steps of Slovak Government and has already informed Government on its displeasure and disapproval. According to general director of Union, Roman Polák, the Government's argument for creation of one insurance company which relies on profits from health insurance is irrelevant. 

Similarly to nurses also doctors might lose their higher salaries. Association of Hospitals in Slovakia is considering the submission to General Attorney for investigation of the constitutionality of the act on wages of doctors. Association claims that acts on salaries of doctors and nurses are favouring only certain groups of employees. Doctors do not understand the activities of the Association and threatened that they will publicize “the reality” of private healthcare institutions.

Patients taking pharmaceuticals for elevated cholesterol levels, osteoporosis or prescribed antibiotics, might pay more in pharmacy from 1st August. In the July categorization the supplementary charges decreased, but now they will be increased. In august, the Reimbursement Committee decided that supplementary charge will be increased by almost 1 300 pharmaceuticals. Patient may avoid the paying of supplementary charge by choosing the alternative pharmaceuticals, which is fully covered by health insurance company.  

Private health insurance company Union today repeatedly declared its intention to remain on Slovak health insurance market. According to director of Union, Roman Podolák, the policyholders do not have to worry about anything and Union will take care of them at all times. He pointed out that discussion on the creation of one insurance company should not be the reason for the change of insurance company for anybody. He mentioned that if Government or Všoebecná zdravotná poisťovňa (General Health Insurance Company) indicate something else, it might be considered as unfair competition.