Draft Act Approving Compensated Medicine List To Be Published Mid-December
Romania’s Health Ministry will publish on its website, around December 15, the draft government decision approving the list of compensated and free medicines.
The draft includes a large number of drugs for the treatment of cancer and other chronic diseases.
Mid-April 2013, Health Minister Eugen Nicolaescu said the new list of compensated drugs might become effective starting July 1, while therapeutic protocols, whereby doctors will be advised to recommend generics, might become effective by the end of 2013. (Adevarul)
Government OKs Bill Setting Retirement Age For Women At 65 Starting 2035
Romania’s Government Wednesday approved a bill whereby women born after December 1970 may retire at the age of 65, similar to men.
Under the bill, retirement age in the country is set to increase gradually between 2011 and 2015, from 59 to 60 for women, and from 64 to 65 for men. Also, retirement age for women will increase to 63 by 2030.
Starting 2035, both men and women may retire at the age of 65.
The required minimum contribution interval will increase from 13 years to 15 years in 2011-2015. The complete interval of contribution to the public pension system is 35 years. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Agriculture, Industry Fuel Romania’s Economic Growth In 3Q
Romanian economy expanded at a robust 4.1% in the third quarter from the year-ago period, in line with previous estimations, largely fueled by a bumper harvest and growing activity in industry, the country’s statistics institute INS said in a second estimate Wednesday.
The gross domestic product increased at a quarterly rate of 1.6% in real terms in the July-September period. The figures are unchanged from last month’s report.
Agriculture contributed 2.3% to the GDP growth in the third quarter compared with the year-ago period, while industry and constructions made positive contributions of 1.9% and 0.3%, respectively.
Real estate contributed a modest 0.1% to the third quarter growth, but activity in the public administration and defense declined 3.3% year-on-year, making a negative contribution of 0.3% to the economic growth.
Romania forecasts an economic growth of 2.2% in 2013, supported by agriculture and exports. (Romania Libera)
Parliament Adopts 2014 State Budget
Romania’s Parliament Wednesday adopted the draft laws on the state budget and social security budget for 2014.
The state budget was adopted with 346 to 49 votes and seven abstentions. Lawmakers debated the bill Tuesday.
Romanian President Traian Basescu told Prime Minister Victor Ponta Tuesday evening he would send back to parliament the 2014 state budget bill to be revised, as he disapproved of increasing excises on fuels.
Basescu said he would propose clear alternatives to raising excise duties on fuels, such as cutting financing for the Ministry of Development.
PM Ponta Tells EU Officials Romania Has Done Its Best To Join Schengen Area
The Romanian Government entrusted Interior Minister Radu Stroe to inform all European officials, at the EU’s Justice and Home Affairs Council, that Romania met all requirements to join the border-free Schengen Area.
Prime Minister Victor Ponta said Romania has done its best for its accession into the Schengen area and now a decision in this respect is in the hands of European officials. (Puterea)