Erityislääkkeillä

Erityislääkkeillä refers to a category of medicines in Finland that are eligible for special reimbursement under the Kela (Social Insurance Institution of Finland) system. These are typically high-cost drugs used to treat rare diseases or conditions that are difficult to manage with standard medications. The purpose of the special reimbursement system is to ensure that patients who need these expensive treatments can access them without facing prohibitive financial burdens.

To be classified as an erityislääke, a medicine must meet specific criteria set by the Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea) and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. These criteria often relate to the severity and rarity of the disease, the therapeutic benefit of the drug compared to existing treatments, and its overall cost-effectiveness. Obtaining reimbursement for an erityislääke usually involves a thorough assessment process, including clinical data and economic evaluations.

Patients requiring an erityislääke typically need a prescription from a specialist physician. The reimbursement application is then handled by Kela, which decides whether to grant special reimbursement status. If approved, the patient will pay a significantly reduced price for the medication, with Kela covering the majority of the cost. This system aims to balance the need for advanced medical treatments with the sustainability of the public healthcare system.