Clawback taxation mechanism for generic drugs changes planned for Romania

By year-end, the government of Romania will draw up new legislation that changes the clawback taxation mechanism for generic drugs, in an effort to promote their usage in the face of a tight budget, according to Health Minister Eugen Nicolaescu, reported by Balkans.com Business News.

Under current legislation, producers of generics and innovative drugs are treated the same on the payment of the clawback. Players in the generics industry warn this could force them to give up the production of cheaper drugs, below 30 new leu ($8.9; 7 euros), hindering patients’ access to affordable treatments.

“Starting next year in the framework of the CNAS (the health care insurance body) there will be a mandatory notice of the formula so the patient can see the reference price, which in most cases is a generic drug. Thus, the patient will know to opt for that drug that he or she can acquire,” said Minister Nicolaescu, during the International Health Forum 2013.