Some patients to be exempted from additional drug payments
Those with rare diseases and under prolonged treatment won't have to pay extra for prescription drugs that are similar to over-the-counter medicines.
The Japanese government plans to exempt certain patients from extra costs associated with prescription drugs that are similar to over-the-counter medicines, according to a draft guideline presented by the health ministry. The new system, set to commence in March, aims to alleviate financial burdens for individuals with specific health conditions.
Patients suffering from rare diseases and those undergoing extended treatment will be among the exempted group. This includes individuals using moisturizers and steroid ointments over a prolonged period to prevent the recurrence of atopic dermatitis, a common skin condition. Cancer patients and those with designated intractable diseases will also not be required to pay additional amounts for their prescribed medications.
Under the proposed system, patients will be responsible for covering 25% of the cost of drugs that can be substituted with over-the-counter alternatives. The remaining 75% of the drug price will be covered by the public health insurance system, with the patient's share ranging from 10% to 30%, depending on the specific medication.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
