The implementation of a modern and sustainable healthcare system, which will guarantee the provision of top-level health services and at the same time enable equitable access to innovative medicines for all patients, was the subject of discussion in a meeting between the Cyprus Association of Research and Development Pharmaceutical Companies (KEFEA) and the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) on Tuesday, 10 December.
During the meeting, which was also attended by KEFEA specialised partners, views were exchanged on the document prepared by the HIO regarding the supply of medicines under the proposed GESY.
“By implementing the GESY, KEFEA believes that Cyprus has a unique opportunity to ensure equal access for all patients to medicines and innovative treatments in particular,” said the President of KEFEA, Joanna Kozakou, who added that this should be one of the new health system’s main objectives.
Issues discussed include the composition and operating mode of the Advisory Committee for Medicinal Products (ACMP), the physician’s right to the freedom of choice for patient treatment, as well as the importance of allocating budget headroom for the inclusion of innovative medicines in the National Formulary (NF) – as is the case in other countries– with the aim of implementing a health system that provides qualitative healthcare.
“We are convinced that only through the cooperation of all stakeholders can a sustainable and functional GESY be implemented,” stressed Ms Kozakou, adding that KEFEA is continuously meeting with stakeholders regarding the GESY.
KEFEA was founded in 2006 and represents Cyprus’ innovative pharmaceutical industry. Its members are the companies GSK, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi and Amgen Hellas. KEFEA’s mission is to ensure Cypriot patients have access to innovative medicines. Another of its basic goals is to ensure continuous availability of medicines on the Cypriot market, the provision of qualitative healthcare, health officers’ scientific guidance on matters concerning medical treatments and the implementation of European targets concerning the high level of healthcare in Cyprus.