Cyprus Patient Associations Demand Dialogue Over Rising Medicine Co-payments

Cyprus patient organizations have called for an urgent dialogue following the revision of drug categories within the GeSY national health scheme, which has led to increased co-payments for patients. Complaints are mounting from both patients and doctors, as the rising costs are particularly burdensome for the elderly.

The Federation of Patient Associations (Osak) has already initiated consultations with the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) and urged pharmaceutical companies to join the discussion.

According to Osak, the issue stems from the expiration of patents for several original drugs and their subsequent reclassification in the national list. As a result, the patient contribution amount has changed, even though the actual price of the drug remains the same.

The federation emphasizes that these are drugs within the same therapeutic category prescribed for the same condition but containing different active ingredients. In such cases, a doctor cannot change the prescription based solely on co-payment fluctuations caused by administrative reclassification.

The situation is especially difficult for elderly patients—primarily retirees and low-income individuals—who now face higher monthly expenses, sometimes for a single essential medication.

Osak stated that patients should not bear the financial burden caused by patent expirations, price fluctuations, or classification changes, particularly when a safe therapeutic alternative is not possible without changing the treatment plan.