When is a medicinal product reimbursed?

The costs of a medicinal product are reimbursed according to the Health Insurance Act only when the holder of the marketing authorization has applied for reimbursement and a reasonable wholesale price and those have been confirmed by the Pharmaceuticals Pricing Board.

The reimbursed medicinal products are mostly prescription medicines. Over-the-counter medicines can also be reimbursed according to the Health Insurance Act provided that the doctor has prescribed the medicine and the Pharmaceuticals Pricing Board has confirmed the reimbursement and reasonable wholesale price for it.

How is the reimbursed price set?

The rea sonable wholesale price is the maximum price for which wholesalers can sell the medicinal product to the pharmacies. The reimbursed price consists of the rea sonable wholesale price, coverage for pharmacies and value added tax.

When is a medicinal product not reimbursed?

A medicinal product with a marketing authorization can be marketed without a reasonable wholesale price confirmed by the Pharmaceuticals Pricing Board. In that case the product is not reimbursed according to the Health Insurance Act.

The above mentioned applies also to the clinical nutritional preparations and basic ointments.

More information on the prices of drugs and their reimbursement can be found here:
Social Insurance Institution (Kela) (in English)