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Glaucoma and ADHD reimbursement criticised

     The new lists of reimbursed drugs released for public consultation by
the Ministry of Health on 5 January lack drugs for Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and employ unclear criteria in setting the
new price limit for glaucoma medicines, interested parties have complained.
     The Ministry has added a new glaucoma drug to the reimbursement list,
Azopt (brynzolamide), in addition to Trusopt (dorzolamide), already on the
list, manufactured by Merck & Co. (MSD). Both medicines are from the
carbonic anhydrase inhibitor class and the new price limit for both of them
was calculated on the basis of the Defined Daily Dose of Azopt.
Consequently, the reimbursement limit for Trusopt has decreased by approx.
30%. In the opinion of Karol Poznanski from MSD, speaking to Pharma Poland
News, the change is unfavourable for both patients and the National Health
Fund (NFZ). Patients who continue using Trusopt will have to pay more from
their own pocket in addition to the reimbursement. Patient contribution to
the price of this drug will increase to 68%. Therefore, most of the more
than 120,000 people currently using it in Poland will probably switch to
Azopt, which is about PLN 10 (?2.6) cheaper for them than Trusopt. Assuming
that Azopt becomes the dominant drug in glaucoma treatment in the next
several months, the NFZ's reimbursement expenses will increase by PLN 2.10
(?0.5) for every package of the drug, which translates into a PLN 2.4m
(?0.6m) rise in annual terms, according to MSD calculations.
     The "Ponad" Association of Assistance for Hyperactive Children
criticises the complete lack of any medication for ADHD, which discriminates
the over 70,000 children with ADHD in Poland. The Association claims to have
already discussed the necessity of reimbursement of ADHD drugs, as they are
very expensive for the average Polish family, with the Ministry of Health.
One of the two available costs PLN 300 (?78) and the second is twice as
expensive. Even reimbursement of half their price would be a great help,
according to the Association. It would cost the NFZ approx. PLN 10m (?2.6m).