“CNAS works as a finance ministry for the entire healthcare system, managing a budget of EUR5 billion, which covers medical services absolutely necessary for the population,” said Duta, adding CNAS is mainly concerned with balancing the budget to increase the allocation of funds and reduce debts. Duta also said CNAS targets to provide as many high-quality drugs and medical services as possible through a proper management of the allotted funds.
“In 2011, the healthcare sector reached financial stability, which translates into complete access to medicine, following the introduction of the clawback tax,” said Duta, adding the clawback tax is one of the instruments that can regulate the moderate the increase in drug consumption and the allocation of additional resources for medical services, family physicians, specialists and hospitals. Duta also said the changes brought to the list of discounted and free medicine are only natural and mandatory after the introduction of the reference price.
The clawback system was introduced in the fall of 2009 and required all drug producers selling on the Romanian market to contribute quarterly to the public healthcare system 5%-11% of their revenue from the sale of products used by the national healthcare programs, included on the list of discounted/free medicine, or used in hospitals. However, the authorities subsequently announced a new version of the tax, whereby drug producers would pay a quarterly tax according to drug consumption. (EUR1=RON4.3754)