Patients'Selection May Be Stringent for Drug Therapy

The National University Hospital of Iceland (Landspítali) is facing a severe funding crisis, with potential implications for the equal access of patients to life-saving medications. The situation is considered deeply serious by Jakob Falur Garðarsson, CEO of Frumtök, who believes that these factors partly explain the limited access to the newest and best medications in Iceland.

In a letter sent to the Minister of Health in February and a subsequent report published on the hospital's website, Garðarsson warned that the allocated funding in this year's national budget would not be sufficient for Landspítali. The report of a March meeting with the Ministry of Health regarding the hospital's memorandum suggested little hope of increased funding this year.

The hospital's warning about the insufficient funding was not heeded during the budget process, and the situation is now affecting patients at the hospital. Garðarsson has stated that a newly diagnosed cancer patient might not receive the same treatment as one who came the day before, highlighting the urgency of the issue.

Equality in access to treatments could become difficult if new patients are unable to access treatments already in use by others. A report from the hospital's drug committee states that Iceland could fall behind other Nordic countries without additional funding for drug purchases.

High distribution and administrative costs are factors that Garðarsson suggests should be considered in Iceland's drug pricing model. He proposes that Iceland base its pricing on average prices in the Nordic countries instead of the lowest price.

Addressing the funding crisis requires sustained financial investment, improved hospital infrastructure, and possibly the adoption of innovative funding and reimbursement models inspired by successful international examples. Continuing and accelerating the hospital construction and modernization project is a long-term solution, essential for ensuring sustainable healthcare delivery.

Adopting sustainable healthcare funding and reimbursement models, like those implemented by Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden, could help Landspítali manage its financial and operational challenges more effectively. Strong political and financial commitment is essential to enable Landspítali to fulfill its role without compromising patient care quality, including drug treatments.

The prolonged construction and infrastructural inadequacy at Landspítali imply resource constraints that likely exacerbate funding challenges affecting treatment options, including drug availability. The hospital's housing situation has been unsustainable for some time, and despite the construction of a new hospital having started six years ago, progress has been slow, with full operational status now expected around 2029–2030, significantly later than originally planned.

In a bid to ensure healthcare that stands up to comparisons with Iceland's neighbors, Garðarsson urges authorities to increase funding to support a change in Iceland's drug pricing model. He believes that this change would help address the current funding issues and ensure equal access to life-saving drugs for all patients at Landspítali.

The National University Hospital of Iceland (Landspítali) is grappling with a severe funding crisis, potentially impacting equal access of patients to lifesaving medications.
CEO of Frumtök, Jakob Falur Garðarsson, finds this situation extremely serious, partially attributing it to the limited access to the newest and best medications in Iceland.
In February, Garðarsson sent a letter to the Minister of Health, expressing concerns about the hospital's financial state, citing the inadequate funding in the current year's national budget.
A report published on Landspítali's website reflects little hope of increased funding this year, following a meeting with the Ministry of Health regarding the hospital's memorandum.
The hospital's warning about insufficient funding was disregarded during the budget process, and the situation is now affecting patients at the hospital.
Garðarsson has emphasized that a newly diagnosed cancer patient might not receive the same treatment as one who came the day before, underscoring the urgency of the issue.
Equality in access to treatments could become challenging if new patients are unable to access treatments already in use by others.
A report from Landspítali's drug committee suggests that Iceland could lag behind other Nordic countries without additional funding for drug purchases.
High distribution and administrative costs are factors Garðarsson suggests should be considered in Iceland's drug pricing model.
He recommendations basing Iceland's pricing on average prices in the Nordic countries instead of the lowest price.
Addressing the funding crisis necessitates sustained financial investment, improved hospital infrastructure, and potentially the adoption of innovative funding and reimbursement models.
Continuing and accelerating the hospital construction and modernization project is a long-term solution, critical for ensuring sustainable healthcare delivery.
Adopting sustainable healthcare funding and reimbursement models, like those implemented by Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden, could help Landspítali manage its financial and operational challenges more effectively.
Strong political and financial commitment is essential to enable Landspítali to fulfill its role without compromising patient care quality, including drug treatments.
The prolonged construction and infrastructural inadequacy at Landspítali imply resource constraints that likely exacerbate funding challenges affecting treatment options, including drug availability.
The hospital's housing situation has been unsustainable for some time, and despite the construction of a new hospital having started six years ago, progress has been slow.
Full operational status is now expected around 2029–2030, significantly later than originally planned.
In a bid to ensure healthcare that stands up to comparisons with Iceland's neighbors, Garðarsson urges authorities to increase funding to support a change in Iceland's drug pricing model.
He believes this change would help address the current funding issues and ensure equal access to lifesaving drugs for all patients at Landspítali.
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