Drug prices: Patients have to pay double

03.09.2010 15:22

A deductible of €136.90 for medications?

What sounds absurd can now happen to patients at the pharmacy. Because some pharmaceutical companies are not complying with the current price reductions offered by health insurance companies, patients who want to stick with their usual medication may have to dig deep into their pockets. In addition to the co-payment, an additional payment may also be required, reports the industry service APOTHEKE ADHOC.

In Germany, health insurance companies only cover the costs of most medications up to a certain maximum limit. This so-called fixed reimbursement amount is regularly adjusted, but more and more manufacturers are refusing to lower the price of their products. Instead, companies like AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Bayer, GlaxoSmithKline, and Merck are asking patients to pay the difference themselves: If the insurance company doesn't cover the cost, the insured must pay the difference between the manufacturer's price and the fixed reimbursement amount out of their own pocket.

The additional costs are sometimes considerable. For several migraine medications, for example, a surcharge of more than €20 is now required – in addition to the standard €5 co-payment. Some medications for heartburn and stomach ulcers cost between €25 and €64 extra. Pfizer remains the most expensive with its cholesterol-lowering drug Sortis. Patients who do not want to switch to a different medication must pay up to €136.90 extra.