Health Insurance Organization announces changes in medicine prices

The Health Insurance Organization (HIO) in Cyprus announced on 4 February an annual adjustment of medicine prices. The changes affected 291 medicines and came into force on 2 February.

According to HIO data, prices were increased for 197 medicines and reduced for 94. A total of 2,419 items are registered in Cyprus, meaning that the affected medicines account for less than ten percent of the total.

HIO clarified that the price update affected the “contribution II” indicator for a number of medicines, resulting in changes to the amount patients are required to pay at the pharmacy. Examples include an increase of €0.11 for the anxiolytic Alprazolam and a decrease of €1.47 for the eye drops Tafluprost.

The organization reminded that the cost of the cheapest medicine in each category is still largely covered by the healthcare system, and patients are usually required to pay €1. If a doctor prescribes a medicine that differs in price from the cheapest option, the patient pays the difference.

HIO recommended that patients consult pharmacists about the possibility of obtaining contribution-free generics with the same active substance and concentration. The full table of adjustments is available on the HIO website (in Greek) and in the published report file.