Pharmaceutical spending drops by 24.6% in Catalonia in July

Barcelona (ACN).- The Catalan Healthcare System registered a spending of €108.10 million on pharmaceuticals last July, when the drug prescription fee began and citizens started to pay a greater share of the cost of  prescription drugs. The figure represents a 24.6% drop compared to the same month of 2011, when the Catalan Healthcare System spent €143.52 million. Pharmaceutical spending in Catalonia decreased by the same proportion as Spain, according to data released this Monday by the Spanish Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality. Furthermore, the number of drug prescriptions in Catalonia in July accounted for 10.35 million, 20% less than in the same month of 2011, when they accounted €12.93 million. Out of all the Autonomous Communities, Catalonia is ranked second for the amount spent on pharmaceutical products, is the second most populated and has the highest GDP.

In the whole of Spain, the public healthcare system spent €702.87 million on pharmaceutical products last July, 24% less than in the same month of 2012. The Spanish Ministry of Health stated that it is the highest drop registered since records began. They also stated it was caused by the latest measures adopted by the Spanish Government, making citizens pay for a greater share of prescribed and partially subsidised drugs. Furthermore, the Catalan Government also implemented a one-euro fee for each drug prescription.

Looking at the number of drug prescriptions in Spain, they dropped by 14% passing from 78.59 million in July 2011 to 67.48 last month.

All the Autonomous Communities have reduced their pharmaceutical spending, except the Basque Country, which it increased by €1.2 million. The three regions that reduced pharmaceutical spending the most are Murcia (by 35.02%), Castilla-León (by 30.93%) and Castilla-la-Mancha (by 30.93%).