Belgium’s Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke has proposed increasing the minimum co-payment to €1 per box of medication, effectively ending the near-free status of certain treatments, reports Le Soir.
By 2026, the government aims to make savings of around €907.2 million to meet the healthcare budget of €41.579 billion.
In a mission letter sent to Inami, which is tasked with preparing this budget, Minister Vandenbroucke outlined plans to save €433 million—almost half the needed savings—through changes in drug reimbursements.
The proposed measures include raising the co-payment for medicines, which is paid by patients after Inami’s reimbursement, to a minimum of €1 per box for those receiving increased assistance (BIM), and €2 for others.
If implemented, this change will likely end the possibility of obtaining certain medications, such as antidiabetics, cancer treatments, or antihypertensives, at almost no cost or less than €1.
Other medicines, including anti-allergics and contraceptives, currently available for less than €2, are expected to see a minimum price increase of €1.
