After the debt for medicines to wholesalers is fully restructured, which will happen by the end of this year from the state budget, payment deadlines for hospitals will reach the level of 180 days agreed with the Government two years ago, but this is no longer sufficient for the normal operation of wholesalers in the context of increased costs and drug pricing policies.
Namely, in addition to increased operating costs and inflation, interest rates on loans have risen, and an additional cost is incurred due to securing additional stocks of medicines in circumstances where there are shortages in the European generic drug market, wholesalers warned today at a round table organized by the Croatian Chamber of Economy. Minister Vili Beroš agreed with the wholesalers, emphasizing that the healthcare reform that has begun is aimed precisely at achieving financial sustainability. The primary goal is to increase hospital limits so that they can cover their costs, but also to increase the prices of services determined by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund, the participants agreed.
As revealed by Domagoj Dodig from the finance department at HZZO, hospitals order medicines worth 80-85 million euros each month, covering about 60 percent of that amount, while the remainder accumulates as debt, increasing by 28 million euros monthly. By October 31, the total debt of hospitals to suppliers amounted to 500 million euros, while the debt of HZZO to pharmacies was 260 million euros, meaning we are talking about a total debt of 760 million euros in the healthcare system.
– We are talking about total debt because it will all come due sooner or later, and the overdue debt is about 200 million euros less. A restructuring of 260 million euros is underway. If the restructuring is realized, with those amounts we would be within the framework of the agreement we had with the Government two years ago, but the point is that the circumstances have changed dramatically and that these are no longer financially acceptable payment deadlines – said Diana Percač, president of the Association of Wholesale Trade in Pharmaceutical Products and Orthopedic Aids of HGK.
As part of the last restructuring, 166.5 million euros have been paid from the budget so far. Currently, one of the last payments of 55 million euros has been made, today there is a payment based on final court rulings for the basis, and these are earmarked funds directed towards medicine suppliers, and additionally today and through Monday, there is a refund to institutions facing court rulings, and these funds are additionally earmarked for medicines and medical materials. When everything is summed up, both the restructuring of 55 million euros and these two items amount to about 85 million euros. Minister Beroš promised that the Government would adhere to the agreement on payment deadlines of 120 days from the date of invoice issuance, or 180 days due for hospitals, and 120 days for pharmacies.
