HZZO: Spinraza included in the basic list of medicines

The Management Board of the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) has included the drug Spinraza (nusinersen) in the basic list of medicines for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy types 1, 2, and 3 for children up to 18 years old who are not on mechanical ventilation (respirator), it was announced on Tuesday after the meeting.

The basic list of medicines has been expanded to include the drug folitropin delta for the treatment of infertility, reserve antibiotics ceftazidim+avibaktam and ceftaroline fosamil, tenofovir alafenamide for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, the drugs okrelizumab and cladribine for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, the drug idebenone for the treatment of Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy, and the combination of beclometasone+formoterol+glycopyrronium for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, while two new indications have been approved for the drug regorafenib – for the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors and hepatocellular carcinoma.

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Supplementary list of medicines

Two new drugs have been included in the supplementary list of medicines – eletriptan for the treatment of migraine headaches and tafluprost+timolol for glaucoma.

An additional 98 new packages have been included on both lists – generic and clinical parallels as well as new forms of already existing drugs on the list.

By adding new drugs to the list, the range of medicines that insured persons can obtain for their treatment at the expense of mandatory health insurance is expanded.

Additional 5000 MRI procedures

HZZO will, it was announced, contract an additional 5000 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures from May 1 to December 31 of this year, in order to reduce the National Waiting List, according to the directive of the Ministry of Health.

After the conducted tender, the most favorable bidders have been selected with whom the implementation and payment of the MRI procedure will be contracted in all regions, proportionate to the number of available additional procedures and the expressed interest of the bidders.

By contracting additional MRI procedures, insured persons are provided with access and continuity of health care, as well as faster execution of medical procedures, which can contribute to a quicker treatment process, HZZO officials stated.

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New aids for diabetes regulation have been added to the HZZO List of Aids – a device for unlimited scanning of glucose levels in interstitial fluid with an appropriate sensor and a transmitter for continuous glucose measurement for individuals using an insulin pump.

From June 1, children aged 4 to 18 years, pregnant women, blind individuals, and patients on intensive insulin therapy (four or more doses of insulin or insulin pump), with proven hypoglycemia in hospital conditions, will have the right to this device, upon the recommendation of a specialist diabetologist from five Croatian clinical hospital centers, KB Dubrava and the University Clinic for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases Vuk Vrhovac.

Funding for internship

The Management Board of HZZO has made a decision on the funding of the internship for doctors of medicine, doctors of dental medicine, masters of pharmacy, and masters of medical biochemistry and laboratory medicine in 2018.

They are granted funding for internships in health institutions and with private health workers who have a contract with HZZO for the implementation of health care from mandatory health insurance.

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After the completed procedure following the public tender, HZZO will announce an open public tender for the funding of the internship of these health workers, but only in general hospitals.

The public tender will be open until November 30, or until the available internship positions are filled.