Medical therapy funding in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federation and Republika Srpska entities are expanding access to and funding for innovative medical therapies.

The Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina expanded its Solidarity Fund and mandatory health insurance drug lists to include advanced treatments such as pembrolizumab and atezolizumab for malignant diseases, as well as sodium oxybate for narcolepsy. Prime Minister Nermin Nikšić noted that 296 million KM has been allocated to the Solidarity Fund over the last four years.

In Republika Srpska, the Health Insurance Fund is implementing a significant budget increase for innovative medicines. Supported by an additional 15 million KM from the government, the entity plans to raise its innovative medicine budget from 95 million KM to approximately 130 million KM next year, a figure noted as the largest in the region when adjusted for population.

This funding follows concerns from the ‘Diši za život’ patient association regarding waiting lists for lung cancer treatments. To address this, the Fund confirmed that new supplies of innovative therapies are expected in October, aiming to include all patients with medical indications and reduce waiting times. Currently, approximately 200 patients receive innovative therapy for lung cancer at an annual cost of about 150,000 KM per patient. While the Fund noted that cytostatics remain continuously available, it acknowledged that market challenges and supplier shortages can occasionally affect procurement.