The Health Insurance Fund (FZO) sent an internal memo to "Montefarm" last week informing them of how much money each hospital in the country has available monthly for medicines and medical supplies, noting that they are obliged to adhere to that budget.
As "Vijesti" unofficially learned, the Health Insurance Fund did this after it was allegedly determined that certain health institutions were overspending the money allocated for the purpose of purchasing medicines.
Asked whether "Montefarm" was ordered to suspend the distribution of medicines to those hospitals that "break through" the monthly budget, the Health Insurance Fund said that they were not aware of any suspension. They remind that the Ministry of Finance has allocated the budget for the Health Insurance Fund that was adopted by the Parliament and that they are obliged to adhere to the allocated funds, and therefore public health institutions within the public system.
"The annual budget of public health institutions is divided into equal monthly amounts that a given institution can spend on the procurement of medicines, medical consumables and aids. If the institution needs a larger amount than the allocated amount, this must be provided through additional funds from the Ministry of Finance and the Government (budget rebalance or budget reserve)," the HIF response states.
"Montefarm" told "Vijesti" that they were sent an internal letter from the Health Insurance Fund last week, which precisely stated how much funding each public health institution has available on a monthly basis, in accordance with the annual budget for the procurement of medicines and medical devices, noting that they are obliged to comply with it.
"The same letter emphasized that the aforementioned amounts do not apply to medicines approved by the Medicines Commission of the Ministry of Health, which are medicines for the treatment of rare and serious diseases," the response states.
"Montefarm" reminded that the Health Insurance Fund, after the budget is adopted, allocates funds and monitors spending accordingly, which has been a standard practice for many years.
"In accordance with the established schedule for the delivery of medicines and medical devices to public health institutions and 'Montefarm' pharmacies, our warehouse carries out its activities daily and without interruption, with certain adjustments in accordance with the already established annual plan of the institutions' needs," said Montefarm.
They also reminded that institutions themselves plan their needs, which must be aligned with the allocated budget, and that "Montefarm" has the obligation to carry out procurement and distribution.
In its Draft Budget for 2025, the Health Insurance Fund proposed a budget of 535,4 million euros, while the Ministry of Finance allocated around 452,6 million.
Director of the FZO Vuk Kadic He recently stated that he expects spending to be between 490 million and half a billion, and that a rebalance will have to be made in the last quarter.
He also said that there will be no shortage of medicines this year, even though the budget for their procurement has been reduced.
164 million euros have been allocated for the procurement of medicines through "Montefarm" and private pharmacies this year.
Data from the Montenegrin Institute for Medicines and Medical Devices shows that around 2023 million euros were spent on paying for medicines from the budget, as well as from citizens' pockets, in 171,8.
The consumption of medicines is constantly growing, and the reasons for this, they claim, are the extension of life expectancy and changes in lifestyle, which leads to an increase in chronic diseases, the emergence of new diseases, resistance to existing medicines, and the appearance of new medications on the market.
Per capita drug consumption in 2023 amounted to 275,56 euros, and in 2019 it was around 101 euros. However, comparative data shows that in 2023, approximately the same amount of money was spent on drugs in neighboring Serbia - 280,36 euros per capita, and in Croatia 402,79.
164 million euros have been allocated for the procurement of medicines through "Montefarm" and private pharmacies this year
In addition to increased real consumption, the authorities also note abuses in the pharmacy business of certain health institutions. This was one of the topics of a meeting at the Ministry in 2023, after the director of the Emergency Medical Service reported abuses and irregularities in the consumption of medicines and medical devices. This case was also reported to the prosecutor's office, because it was determined that there was a deficit in the pharmacy business, and that, for example, a quantity of 50 ampoules of medicines or 400 needles was entered from the medical staff's orders in just one day and during one visit.
The director of the Nikšić hospital also reported abuses to the police about fifteen days ago because, among other things, a large quantity of medications was discovered in a special locked cabinet in the hospital pharmacy, and patients were without them for days.
Ministry of Finance: We released funds, we did not order a suspension
The Ministry of Finance told "Vijesti" yesterday that all requests from the Health Insurance Fund, which were submitted and related to the release of funds for "Montefarm", i.e. the procurement of medicines and medical devices, were implemented in accordance with the law. They reminded that the funds planned by the annual State Budget Law, based on the requests of spending units, are made available in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Budget and Fiscal Responsibility. They also denied allegations that institutions that violate the plan have been ordered to suspend the distribution of medicines, emphasizing that this is not within their jurisdiction.
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