Spain launches health reforms on drug dispensing and tech assessment

The Spanish government issued Real Decreto 468/2026, revamping the national system for medication dispensing and verification. The decree introduces new procedures for authenticating pharmaceuticals, expands deactivation of unique identifiers for prisons and defence facilities, and defines the role of the Nodo SNSFarma platform that links pharmacies, hospitals and the central verification repository. These changes aim to meet EU anti‑counterfeit requirements while streamlining supply‑chain operations.

In May 2026, Spain also approved a new Real Decreto for the Evaluation of Health Technologies (ETS). Industry leaders Sanofi, Roche and Philips welcomed the framework, describing it as “more structured, participative and transparent, aligned with the European HTA regulation.” The ETS expands assessment criteria beyond efficacy and budget impact to include social, ethical and environmental value, using real‑world data to gauge patient quality‑of‑life benefits. Companies highlighted the need for proportional regulatory transparency and protection of confidential know‑how while emphasizing that the new rules should not delay product launches.