Ylva is 44 years old and three years ago she got a migraine. It has taken her a long time to find the right medicine. – For me, it has been decisive in being able to continue to have a good quality of life and to be able to work. Ylva has spent a long time with the doctor to find the right medicine. Photo: Privat / news Now she can handle both a busy job and a family life with children. – With this new migraine medicine, I can live normally. But now the government has changed the scheme which gives all patients and doctors the opportunity to find the best medicine for the patient, say the critics. Does the blue receptor density change Medicines are expensive and the government’s budget hurts when the bills for the blue receptor density have to be settled. Today, it is the case that chronically ill patients pay a small part of the cost of their medicine, the state picks up the rest of the bill. According to the state budget, it costs the state close to NOK 17 billion. This is expensive for the community, which is why it was decided in the state budget for 2024 that Norway will buy in cheaper medicines. The government wants as many new patients with the same diagnosis as possible to use the same medicine. They do this by turning to the pharmaceutical companies in Europe and asking who can offer the cheapest medicine for the diagnosis in question. Such a tender scheme will save society several hundred million kroner. This was adopted in the state budget for 2024, with support from SV, after several years of discussions and protests. State Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Care Karl Kristian Bekeng says doctors can still prescribe other medicines. Photo: Truls Alnes Antonsen / news State Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Care Karl Kristian Bekeng says doctors can still prescribe other medicines, but that doctors must apply for each individual patient. – Offer does not mean that all patients must use the same medicine. The doctors must still treat patients individually, and assess whether new patients should try the drug that is losing supply first. Doctors, politicians and interest organizations are demanding a rematch for the scheme. These demand that the government turn around in this case Young disabled people National Association for Kidney Patients and Transplanted LHL Headache Norway The Norwegian Medical Association Joint organization for the disabled Metabolism Association Norwegian Rheumatism Association Diabetes Association ADHD Norway Asthma and the Allergy Association Demand a fight – Doctors fear that the new blue receptor system sees all patients as one and not as single individual now that the price must be important for what medicines they can write on a blue prescription. This is according to Nils Kristian Klev, head of the general practitioners’ association. Leader of the Storting’s Health and Care Committee Tone Wilhelmsen Trøen from Høgre says they are afraid the new blue receptor disease will affect large groups of patients. The new scheme affects many patient groups. Photo: Hans Kristian Thorbjørnsen / Høyre She also believes that the new arrangement breaks with what the Storting has decided when it comes to the health policy goals. – One of them has the lowest possible price. But it is also important to ensure good quality in treatment. And also ensure quick access to effective medicines, ma It is completely understandable that the government will stand for this, says political senior adviser in Asthma and Allergy Association Marte Rendalsvik Øien Photo: Anna Camilla Kjensmo / Asthma and Allergy Association Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association believes the socio-economic gains will be very short-term, says senior political advisor Marte R. Øien – When so many patients run the risk of not getting medicines that are not chosen based on a medical basis, but price, the costs will very likely increase in the second budget. Øien believes this will lead to increased absences from school and work, more visits to the GP and emergency room and more emergency admissions to hospital. She also fears that many will be forced to change medicine. – It will also contribute to creating greater inequalities in health among the population, and lead to an even more bifurcated healthcare system. It is completely understandable that the government will be responsible for this. For Ylva, who has worked for a long time to find her perfect medicine, the new arrangement is incomprehensible. – Trying different medicines and finding one that works for you is absolutely crucial for all patients, whether it’s migraine or other types of illness. Published 25.06.2024, at 12.12
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Doctors must prescribe cheaper medicines
