IHS Life Sciences perspectiveSignificance
The Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) is set to add seven new oncology medicines/indications as well as a number of innovative medicines in other therapeutic areas to its basic reimbursement list in its imminent update.
Implications
This represents an important boost for Croatian cancer patients in particular, although it should be emphasised that many of the drugs and indications concerned have been approved for marketing in the European Union for several years and their submission for reimbursement approval in Croatia has also been subject to considerable delay.
Outlook
This represents a continuation of the gradual improvement in access to newer innovative treatments in Croatia, although it remains to be seen to what extent the country's accession to the EU will speed up the process of obtaining reimbursement in the country, which still appears to be especially slow in the case of innovative drugs.
Boost for access to innovative oncology treatmentsSeven new innovative oncology medicines, or new indications of already reimbursed innovative oncology medicines, are to be added to the basic (essential) reimbursement list of the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO), following the publication of the decision in the official gazette of the Republic of Croatia, which was due to have taken place on 9 April, reports Croatian business newspaper Poslovni Dnevnik. According to the source, a total of 14 new medicines (new active ingredients or combinations) or new indications of already reimbursed medicines will be added to the basic reimbursement list in the forthcoming update.
Zelboraf (vemurafenib)
Roche (Switzerland)
Iressa (gefitinib)
AstraZeneca (United Kingdom)
Yondelis (trabectadine)
PharmaMar (Spain)
Votrient (pazopanib)
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK, United Kingdom)
Afinitor (everolimus)
Novartis (Switzerland)
Mozobil (plerixafor)
Genzyme (United States)
Evoltra (clofarabine)
Genzyme (United States)
...