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After the audit, one can conclude that the measures implemented by the Ministry of Health do not ensure early detection of oncological diseases and compensation of necessary medicines for patients. It has a significant impact on Latvian public health indicators, which do not improve for a long time although this area of healthcare is among priorities of the country.
The list of compensated medicines for the treatment of oncological diseases complies with international clinical guidelines only partially, and only part of the diagnoses is provided with state-paid basic therapy and treatment follow-up.
BRIEFLY
- Early detection is an underappreciated and underutilized tool that can lead to more successful treatment, but patient compliance is critical.
- The accelerated procedure “Green Corridor” does not work because 195 days pass instead of the 65 intended days until a diagnosis is established, that is, three times more time than planned.
- The prices of compensated medicines for the treatment of oncological diseases are the highest in the Baltic States. The Ministry of Health cannot justify how the limits of allowable wholesale and pharmacy mark-ups are determined, which affect the final price directly.
- The Cancer Register does not work as intended, as the collected data on oncology patients are not of high quality and complete, and there is no clarity about the development of the new Cancer Register.
