Republika Srpska increases budget for innovative medical therapies

The Health Insurance Fund of Republika Srpska has announced a significant increase in the budget for innovative medicines. The current budget stands at 95 million KM, with plans to increase it by 50 million KM next year, totaling approximately 130 million KM. This allocation is noted as the largest in the region when adjusted for population.

Following concerns raised by the “Diši za život” patient association regarding waiting lists for lung cancer treatments, the Fund confirmed that new supplies of innovative therapies are expected in October. This shipment aims to include all patients with medical indications in the therapeutic process and significantly reduce waiting times. Currently, approximately 200 patients are receiving innovative therapy for lung cancer, which costs about 150,000 KM per patient annually.

An additional 15 million KM provided by the Government of Republika Srpska has allowed the Fund to launch a new public procurement process to ensure all recommended patients can access these treatments. While the Fund noted that cytostatics remain continuously available without waiting lists, it acknowledged occasional market challenges and supplier shortages that can affect procurement.