Belgium drops the price of 62 off-patent drugs across several therapy areas

From July 1, 62 brand-name medicines that are now out of patent have dropped in price in Belgium.

The medications include those for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, the nervous and respiratory system. Pharma BE, the representative body for the Belgian pharma industry, says this saving, and the use of generics, will bring about annual savings of 38.7 million euros ($40.6 million) and 4.9 million euros for Belgian patients.

Catherine Rutten, chief executive of Pharma BE, said: “The Belgian system of lowering the price of older medicines has been developed in recent years, carried out by the government and the pharma industry, and works very well. Firstly, the patient has access to their usual drugs at a lower price via chemists. Secondly, this frees up space in health insurance budgets to reimburse innovative new drugs. As such, we continue to ensure that the drug budget is under control, while the latest treatments are available to Belgian patients.”