During a press conference, AZV announced a change effective January 1st, 2021, on the Positive List (Medicine), the list of medicine covered by AZV.
The actual Positive List is dated from May 2004 and was made by AGA, who advises the Minister of Public Health and AZV.
Since last June, they have been working hard to revise the list of 2004, which has received minor changes throughout the years. And now, with the pandemic and the spending cut that was demanded, they had to evaluate which are the necessary medicines for each disease, which are for self-use and which could be bought without prescriptions.
AZV’s Public Relationist, Solange Tjong, explained that there are different medicines that you can get without prescriptions for self-care and that aren’t covered by insurance, which can be taken off the list. Some medicines have become irrelevant, aren’t being prescribed or fabricated anymore, and have other cheaper alternatives.
She also said that some medicines will remain in the care package but will change its category and requirements to be prescribed. For example, Paracetamol costs 1,50 for 20 tablets. And normal eye drops are for self-use.
The doctors are aware of the new list, and patients can contact their doctors for more explanations. They will make sure to put the list on AZV’s website afterward.
