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Slovak Pharmaceutical Chamber welcomes the amendment to the act on pharmaceuticals, which should prohibit the loyalty systems. After its approval also the networks of pharmacies should end. This legal standard should in the case of its approval in Government, Parliament and after the sign of the President enter into force on January 2, 2013. According to the Vice President of the Chamber, Ondrej Sukeľ, up to a quarter of patients are seeking for discounts and bonuses in the pharmacies. Discounts in pharmacies according to him, significantly affects especially pensioners. 

Comfort Centre for treatment of sclerosis multiplex was built on II. Neurological clinic in F. D. Roosevelt Faculty hospital and polyclinic in Banská Bystrica. Centre has a capacity of three beds, two seats and the infusion treatment is currently set for 16 patients. Reconstruction of this area cost approximately € 10 000 and was financed by sponsorship.

Ministry of Health claims that at present there is an alarming increase of pharmaceuticals, which are falsified in relation to their identity, history or origin. Ministry of Health therefore in its amendment to the act on pharmaceuticals and medical devices proposes the measures, which should prevent their spreading. Aim of the amendment is to adopt the European Directive from June 2011. Ministry in its material states that counterfeit pharmaceuticals usually contain either substandard or counterfeit ingredients, contain no ingredients or ingredients, including active substances, in wrong amount.

Bardejov Spa is struggling with the decrease of visitors. In the first half of 2012 the curative procedures were undergone by 1 142 patients less than in 2011. The drop of visits might by according to the Spa caused by the change of the law. Payments of health insurance companies were decreased by some diagnosis. Some patients thus probably cannot afford the spa anymore. Bardejov Spa has partly compensated this decrease by attracting of self-paying visitors.  

Doctors may from now on still prescribe on the prescriptions beside the active substance of the pharmaceutical also its concrete name. Ministry of Health have left this possibility in the proposal of the amendment to the act on pharmaceuticals. Some experts think that it is wrong. According to them the patient and system would otherwise save more. Amendment is currently in public comments. But even any possible objections of professional public would not make Ministry to change the way of prescribing of pharmaceuticals. 

Ministry of Health will according to its spokeswoman not do any anti-campaign, which could reduce the price of private health insurance companies. This was the reaction of the Ministry to the statements of the representatives of opposition political party Most-Híd. According to them state would need only a fraction of the total price of health insurance companies to reduce their market price through the campaign. Opposition party also accused the social democrats that by the creation of one health insurance company they are only going to do their business.

Medical Trade Union has started the anti-corruption campaign, which aims to improve the relationship between patient and doctor and to ensure the more transparent environment in the healthcare system. Doctors involved into the initiative will wear the badges with slogan of the campaign (“Thank you, I don´t take bribes”) and they will also be a part of the list on the website of Medical Trade Union, where the patients can find them. Medical Trade Union also gave the Ministry of Interior a proposal for establishment of anti-corruption lines.

Departments of hospital in Vranov nad Topľou are beginning to use the Vacuum Assisted Closure Therapy, which should ensure patients the faster healing of wounds. This method is brand new and was used last week by the treatment of the first patient. This therapy has been recently often used as an active therapy by effective healing of acute, trauma or chronic wounds. Whole system is based on the controlled and localized pressure, which is exerted directly on the wound and accelerates the creation of new tissue.

Ministry of Interior wants to equipe the St. Michal Hospital in Bratislava with the new technology worth € 3.25 million. This results from the preliminary statement published in the Journal of the procurement. Complex delivery of medical technology and equipment for the hospital needs should contain for example the equipment for operation room, operation table for urology and gyneacology, instruments for neurology or infusion stands.

President of Slovak republic, Ivan Gašparovič, has signed the amendment to the act on pharmaceuticals, which tightens the supervision over human pharmaceuticals. Amendment to the act approved in July by members of Parliament also implements the changes by the market supervision and penalties by failing to comply with the provisions of the act. It also tightens the requirements for all subjects treating with human pharmaceuticals, especially the holders of human pharmaceutical registration.