The French Minister of Health, Geneviève Darrieussecq, has announced a reduction in Social Security reimbursements for medical consultations and pharmaceuticals as part of the Social Security Financing Bill (PLFSS).
The government aims to achieve up to 5 billion euros in savings on healthcare spending. The reimbursement rate for drugs will decrease by 5% next year, and the reimbursement rate for medical consultations will also be reduced.
The government plans to transfer costs to complementary health insurance, which has seen its amount reduced from 1.1 billion euros to 900 million euros.
The pharmaceutical industry has expressed skepticism about the forecasting errors that led to these budgetary adjustments. The government is considering various strategic measures, including price cuts on healthcare products and efficiency improvements in hospitals and outpatient care, to achieve its savings target. Pharmaceutical companies may be required to contribute financially through a "safeguard clause."
The implications of these budget cuts will be closely monitored by healthcare providers and patients, and the ongoing dialogue between the government and the pharmaceutical industry will be crucial in shaping the future of healthcare financing in France.