WILLEMSTAD - The likelihood that consumers will have to pay more for their medication is increasing as the Pharmacists Association (VAE) prepares to negotiate new agreements with the insurer SVB (Social Insurance Bank).
Minister Javier Silvania, who temporarily oversees Public Health, has instructed the parties to report back to him on August 31st regarding necessary reforms and cost-cutting measures in that area of healthcare.
SVB aims to narrow down the package of essential medicines and make it less costly. As a result, patients will have to contribute more out of pocket. Additionally, the pharmacists want to increase the prescription dispensing fee, which is the amount per prescription that patients have to pay for each essential medicine. Currently, it is one guilder per prescription.