Pharmacist refuse sick of expensive medications

40'000 persons in Switzerland are infected chronically, almost 200 Dead, calls for Hepatitis C each year. "It's to die five times more people to follow than to those of HIV," writes the Federal office of public health. Although for some years a highly effective remedy would be on the market.

However, have their price. Over 14'000 Swiss francs is the cost, for example, a pack of the drug Harvoni with 28 tablets. To cure two to three boxes are necessary. Some of the pharmacists that is too expensive. This is a December study published by researchers from the universities of Lausanne and Geneva shows.

respondents in the Vaud country, 60 pharmacists who had patients with Hepatitis C. 14 a customer refused to a minimum of the drugs. Out of fear that the health insurance does not pay for the expensive Drug, the most. "Pharmacists buy drugs at wholesalers or directly from producers," says study author Jerome Berger."After that, you sit so long on the cost until the insurance company reimburses them back." The cough syrup or headache pills relatively unproblematic. "But for high-priced drugs, the financial risk can be high," says Berger.

Santésuisse shows amazed

He analyzed in Detail the treatment of 68 patients in the pharmacy of the University clinic Unisanté in Lausanne. A minimum of three months until the funds were refunded to the appropriate Hepatitis-drugs. "Big providers can cope," says Berger. "But small pharmacies can get in trouble. So they had to, and to reject the patients." The data you've collected already in 2016. "In the meantime, some pharmacists have found solutions for these patients."

But the Problem still exists, not only in the Canton of Vaud. "We know patients from all over Switzerland, all of which were rejected," says Philip Bruggemann, President of the Hepatitis Switzerland. Difficulties with the refund, and be widely used. "In a Concerned we are waiting since July on the money of the Fund." This would always request additional documents and to Ask. "We have the feeling that some of the funds to play on time," says Bruggemann. "You want to wear down the patients until they find another provider." It is sad that pharmacies Ill get rid of. "But I can understand them, if they are otherwise threatened in their existence," says Bruggemann. Responsible manufacturers, who charge extremely high prices for their medicines. And then, of course, the funds.

Santésuisse, the Swiss Association of health insurers, amazed. Pharmacies have a right to a refund within 30 days."This deadline is not respected, repeatedly, you are entitled to a financially compensation of the funds," says spokesman Christophe Kaempf. A Problem is, if the invoices of the pharmacies were not correct, because some information is missing. Then investigations are required. "And there may be delays," said Kaempf.

Association does not see 450 pharmacies in danger

the only cause of concern is the duration. For the sales of a single pack of a pharmacist may request a maximum of 240 francs. Completely independent of the medication price, the Federal government requires it. Soon it will be 300 francs. "But this is actually absurd in the extreme and expensive remedies available today," says Fabian Vaucher, President of the industry Association Pharma Suisse. "Alone, transportation and special storage of such drugs are much more expensive. Add to this the training of staff and the intensive counselling of the patient."

a pharmacist would make a loss. And there is a residual risk remains. "Packs can go wrong, tablets expire, patients from the reference die or dive," says Vaucher. "The pharmacist in thousands of Swiss francs, escape quickly."

The Problem will escalate. In recent years, sales of high-priced drugs has multiplied. Just for the treatment of cancer is always more expensive drugs come on to the market, the cost depending on the duration of therapy several Ten - or hundred thousand francs. "Hardly a pharmacy can carry such a risk," says Vaucher. "Only happens to a small error, this can quickly mean the end Of an operation."

Pharma Suisse complains for years, to get pharmacies little support from Bern. In the morning you want to do with a rally at the Federal court's attention. According to the latest annual report is now in jeopardy, "every fifth pharmacy". President Vaucher indicates that in the next few years, 450 of them might disappear. We are now in talks with large pharmaceutical companies. "You need to come to us. Otherwise, more and more pharmacies do without it, such an extremely expensive drug."

(Sunday newspaper)

Created: 06.04.2019, 22:42 PM