Refunds cut for 200 medicines

THE GOVERNMENT is cutting the rate of reimbursement for 200 medicines next month in a move expected to save €145m a year.

Patients buying the medicines - which include indigestion tablet Gaviscon and antiviral cream Zovirax - will get back 15% from the Assurance Maladie, instead of 35%.

The products reimbursed at the new lower rate will come with an orange label. The full list is available on the Les Echos website.

Labs making the medicines on the list are allowed to appeal against their demotion to the new 15% category.

The Mutualité Française top-up health insurance body is encouraging its members not to pay all of the 85% remaining - which means the extra cost will be picked up by the patient.

The new rate means there are now four levels of refund offered by the Assurance Maladie on different medicines: 100%, 65%, 35% and 15%.

Maria Brzostowska - Fotolia.com