The scheme for reimbursement of the Covid-19 drugs in Albania, is offered only by those companies which have an agreement with the Social Insurance Society (SIS). The infected people in Tirana, prefer buying the medicaments with their own incomes.
“The patients prefer taking the drugs without a receipt”, declare some pharmacists for Albanian Post. “The time for entering in reimbursement scheme, is too long”.
There is no indication on how the drugs against Covid -19 are sold in pharmacies and no overview from SIS. The scheme is believed to not being functional from some pharmacists. The medicaments are effective, but there is a huge disbelief in the reimbursement scheme.
“The panic against Covid is still big. I have clients who take large amounts of medicaments even though they are not infected. Those who expect to receive medication through the scheme are very few”.
How much do we spend in the treatment against Covid- 19?
On the average, a treatment of the symptoms goes around 1.500 lek. 15.000 lek, are spent for more aggravated situations.
Regardless of the fact that reimbursed medicines are cheaper, they are considered as effective from the pharmacists. In some pharmacies, there is a lack of medicaments, even in the ones related to SIS. The most sold medicament is Xarelto, a blood thinning drug. It most recommended and effective one, which is also included in the reimbursement list.
Who is reimbursed?
There are some criteria that must be met to be included in the refund scheme. Initially, the results of the test for Covid should come out positive. It is not clear whether tests performed in private hospitals are included in the scheme.
In the cases of a positive test result, the family doctor prescribes the medication. In cases of mild symptoms, the first package is recommended. It includes mostly vitamins. The refund cost is evaluated at 1.650 lek.
If the doctor decided for the second scheme, which includes antibiotics and other drugs for chronical illnesses, it has a cost of 10.900 lek. However, the cost of drugs for the people who have more severe symptoms, seems to be higher than what the scheme covers. This is confirmed by pharmacists themselves.
Emphasized by the citizens is the waiting time for reimbursement. “I cannot wait to get involved in the scheme. Medications should be taken as soon as possible. We should not to wait for them” says a citizen for Albanian Post.
The reimbursement scheme for medicaments against Covid started in November in Albania. Until now, there is no data on how many patients have benefited from it, yet. /AlbanianPost.com
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