A new price list for pharmaceutical products will be implemented in Cyprus starting Monday, 2 February, shifting the out-of-pocket costs for thousands of General Healthcare System (GHS) beneficiaries.
The annual revision, carried out by the Ministry of Health, impacts the patient contributions for 291 drugs out of the 2,419 pharmaceutical products currently reimbursed by the GHS. According to the updated figures:
- 197 drugs will see an increase in patient contributions.
- 94 drugs will see a decrease in patient contributions.
The Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) clarified that patients are not obligated to pay the increased costs if a cheaper alternative with the same active ingredient and strength is available. In such cases, patients can request that their pharmacist substitute the prescribed brand with an equivalent generic or lower-cost version that requires no additional contribution.
Physicians may also consult with patients to prescribe the most affordable interchangeable medication. To do so, doctors must cancel any existing valid prescriptions for the previous brand before issuing a new one.
Pharmacists are legally required to inform beneficiaries of their right to switch to an equivalent drug at no extra cost. However, patients who prefer to remain on their current brand may do so by paying the newly adjusted, higher contribution if their specific medication is among the 197 products affected by the price hike.
The full price list, detailing all changes to prices and contributions, is available on the official websites of the Ministry of Health and the GHS.