Free access to treatment: How to benefit from compensated medicines for psoriasis in Romania

Starting from May 1, 2024, insured individuals suffering from psoriasis in Romania will benefit for the first time from compensated medications, provided under outpatient conditions. This is a significant step in supporting patients with psoriasis, ensuring them access to essential treatments without a high financial burden.

This article aims to explain how you can benefit from these medications, what preparations are available, and what steps you need to follow to access this free treatment. We will explore important details about the process of obtaining compensated medications and provide essential information to help you take advantage of this newly introduced benefit.

What does compensated medications for psoriasis mean?

Compensated medicines are medicines whose costs are partially or fully covered by mandatory health insurance funds. This system is designed to ensure patients' access to necessary treatments, regardless of their financial capacity. In the context of psoriasis, medicine compensation represents an essential component of disease management, having a significant impact on patients' quality of life.

For people with psoriasis, the benefit of subsidized medications means that a substantial part of the treatment cost is covered by the state. This is crucial because treatments for psoriasis can be expensive, and the disease often requires long-term or even lifelong therapies. Subsidizing these costs helps reduce the financial burden on patients, allowing them to continue their necessary treatments without being constrained by economic limitations.

Regarding Romania, the reimbursed medicines for the treatment of psoriasis are detailed in the Government Decision updating the list of reimbursed and free medicines provided by GD 720/2008 which came into effect on May 1, 2024. This decision provides for the inclusion in the list of reimbursed and free medicines of a number of 28 innovative molecules, of which 22 are new molecules and another 6 molecules for new therapeutic indications. The implementation of this decision reflects the commitment of the Ministry of Health to improve patient access to innovative treatments and to ensure effective management of chronic diseases, including psoriasis​.

The implementation of these compensation policies reflects the commitment of public health authorities to improve access to essential treatments for patients with chronic conditions, thereby contributing to better disease management and a significant improvement in the quality of life for patients affected by psoriasis.

Available medications and their reimbursement

Starting from May 1, 2024, insured persons suffering from psoriasis in Romania have access to a range of reimbursed medications available for the treatment of this condition in outpatient settings. 

According to Article I of DECISION no. 397 of April 23, 2024, published in the OFFICIAL GAZETTE no. 382 of April 24, 2024 in the case: 

Rheumatoid polyarthritis, psoriatic arthropathy, severe chronic psoriasis, juvenile arthritis, Still's disease, uveitis, and suppurative hidradenitis are compensated at 100% for insured persons for the following medications:

• Sulfasalazinum
• Betamethasone (injectable form for local administration)
• Methylprednisolone (oral form)
• Methotrexate [oral solution]
• Cyclosporine
• Leflunomidum**
• Azathioprinum
• Diclofenac
• Hydroxychloroquinum
• Methotrexatum

For psoriasis treatment, the following medications from the mentioned list can be used:

1. Methotrexate [oral solution] - used in moderate and severe forms of psoriasis.
2. Ciclosporinum - used in severe psoriasis.
3. Betamethasonum (injectable form for local administration) - used for local treatments in severe or resistant cases.
4. Methylprednisolonum (oral form) - occasionally used in severe or acute cases.

Regulations and relevant documents

The reimbursed medications for the treatment of psoriasis are detailed in Decision no. 397 of April 23, 2024, published in the Official Gazette no. 382 of April 24, 2024, which updates Government Decision 720/2008.

Through these drug compensation measures, patients with psoriasis in Romania have access to essential treatments, both for chronic management and for episodic treatments of the disease. It is essential that patients are informed about their rights and follow the necessary procedures to benefit from these medications. This financial support not only reduces the economic burden but also significantly improves the quality of life of the patients.

Procedures for obtaining compensated medicines

To benefit from compensated medications for psoriasis, patients must follow a few essential steps. These procedures are necessary to ensure that the treatment is administered correctly and in accordance with legal regulations.

As a preliminary note, according to Decision no. 720 of July 9, 2008 (*republished* with amendments from April 23, 2024): Treatment is initiated by the dermatologist specialized in dermatovenereology for the case of psoriasis.

1. Consulting the doctor

The first step in obtaining compensated medications is consulting a specialist doctor. This can be a dermatologist or a family doctor with competencies in dermatology. The doctor will evaluate the patient's symptoms and will confirm the diagnosis of psoriasis.

The importance of medical consultation: Consulting a doctor is essential to establish an accurate diagnosis and to determine the need for specific treatment. The doctor will perform a detailed clinical examination and, if necessary, may recommend additional tests to confirm the diagnosis.

2. Prescription of medications

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor will prescribe the necessary medications based on the appropriate treatment plan for the patient. The medical prescription must be clear and detailed, indicating the commercial name and the dose of the compensated medications.

The role of the medical prescription: The medical prescription serves as an official document to justify the need for treatment and to allow pharmacies to dispense reimbursed medications. It is important that the prescription is filled out correctly to avoid delays in the process of obtaining the medications.

3. Picking up the medications

After obtaining the prescription from the dermatovenerology specialist, the patient can collect the reimbursed medications from pharmacies that have a contract with CNAS. For this, the medical prescription must be presented.

Dispensing of medications: The pharmacy checks the presented documents and dispenses the reimbursed medications according to the medical prescription. It is important for the patient to ensure that they receive exactly the prescribed medications, in the correct doses.

Range for psoriasis from Royal Rich

Royal Rich offers a range of natural treatments for managing psoriasis, using minerals from the Dead Sea, known for their therapeutic properties. This product range is intended to alleviate redness, itching, and skin irritation, acting as an adjunct in the local relief of psoriasis.

One of the star products of this range is a unique cream, Psor cream, formulated with natural ingredients such as plant extracts, pure propolis, honey, essential oils, and minerals from the Dead Sea. This wonderful combination helps to soothe and heal skin affected by psoriasis, giving it a healthy and radiant appearance. The cream is enriched with a complex of vitamins that nourish and revitalize the skin, making it more resistant to irritations and inflammations.

The benefits of using this range include reducing redness, relieving itching, and soothing skin irritations, contributing to improving the quality of life for patients with psoriasis. We encourage you to try the Royal Rich product range as a complementary therapy for managing psoriasis symptoms and to enjoy the natural benefits of minerals from the Dead Sea.

In conclusion, access to subsidized medications for psoriasis represents a major step in supporting patients, offering them the possibility to benefit from essential treatments without bearing prohibitive costs. By following the correct procedures and consulting with a specialist doctor, patients can access a wide range of medications that contribute to the effective management of psoriasis symptoms.

Additionally, complementary therapies, such as the range of natural treatments from Royal Rich, can offer additional benefits, helping to alleviate redness, itching, and skin irritations.

Don't let psoriasis affect your quality of life! Find out now how you can benefit from subsidized medications and start the treatment you need. Visit the CNAS website for more information and discuss the available options with your specialist doctor. Also, explore the range of Royal Rich natural products for effective complementary therapy. Act now to regain your skin's health and comfort!