"Uncertain" situation of free and compensated medicine
Many counties have already exhausted their free or compensated medicine stock, but pharmacists still have not taken a decision about it.
Articol de Paul Poteraşi, 29 Iulie 2011, 09:46
The situation of free or compensated medicine has been unclear for a few days.
Many counties have already exhausted their free or compensated medicine stock, and pharmacists are demanding more money either from the budget or from reserve funds.
Pharmacists complain that they have given out too much medicine on the arm and say they will no longer do it.
According to Radio Romania Actualităţi correspondent Oana Negrea, the pharmacists in Covasna met on Thursday to decide when to stop giving out free or compensated prescriptions.
Before the meeting, they were planning on not giving out medicine on the arm any more, but on Thursday they decided to keep doing so for free or compensated medicine only.
In other words, people suffering from diabetes, cancer or that have had a transplant will not receive medicine after August 1.
Pharmacists in Covasna are already losing money, because they have exceeded their stock with over one million RON, 680 000 of which for diabetes.
Pharmacists say they feel responsible for the sick, but cannot continue this way.
They have, however, promised to start giving out medicine again as soon as the stock is refilled.
Unclear situation in Gorj and Braşov Counties
According to Radio Romania Actualităţi correspondent Titus Stoichiţoiu, in Gorj County pharmacists have said that they will no longer give out free or compensated medicine starting this week.
However, the statement was more of a threat, as most people still received their medication.
The situation in Gorj County, that the annual stock has run out, means that pharmacists will no longer be giving out medicine on free or compensated prescriptions.
Sick people do not in fact have any problems.
The County Health Insurance House has received another 1 860 000 RON, which will cover for all free or compensated medicine up to last October.
There are, however, pharmacies that do not give out free or compensated medicine.
The financial manager of the County Health Insurance House, Cosma Dumitrescu, says that there are no problems with national programs and chronic diseases, and insisted that everything will be sorted out in three weeks at most, especially since there is a new budget rectification every ten days.
In turn, Ileana Dumitrescu, President of the College of Pharmacists in Gorj, says that all types of medicine can be received, which is good for sick people, but bad for pharmacists, who have lost faith in the County Health Insurance House.
In Braşov County, less than 20 percent of pharmacies are currently giving out free or compensated medicine.
According to Radio Romania Actualităţi correspondent Mariana Sebeni the situation is harder on those suffering from cancer or diabetes, because they cannot receive free medicine anywhere.
Translated by: Gabriela Lungu
MA Student, MTTLC, Bucharest University
