Consider raising health insurance coverage for psoriasis medications

The Ministry of Health is considering expanding the list and increasing insurance coverage for psoriasis treatment drugs, helping patients access them effectively and reduce financial burden.

The Ministry of Health and Vietnam Social Security are considering expanding the list and increasing health insurance coverage for new drugs to treat psoriasis, especially highly effective but expensive biological drugs.

Associate Professor Le Huu Doanh - Director of the Central Dermatology Hospital gave the above information on the sidelines of the Scientific Conference - Meeting of the psoriasis clinic system 2024-2025, taking place over 2 days (October 24-25).

According to Mr. Doanh, psoriasis is a chronic skin disease, estimated to affect about 2 million Vietnamese people. The disease does not directly threaten life but often recurs, lasts for a long time and seriously affects the quality of life.

Currently, many biological drugs costing between 150 and 250 million VND/year are only covered by 50% of the Health Insurance Fund, making it difficult for patients to access. The hospital proposed to increase the payment level from 50% to 70% for some biological drugs and add new biological drugs to the health insurance list.

Increasing the health insurance payment rate will help psoriasis patients to be treated effectively, return to normal life soon, and reduce the economic burden on patients and society.

Associate Professor Doanh warned that psoriasis is not only a skin disease but also a chronic immune-mediated inflammation. If not treated properly, the disease can lead to metabolic disorders, atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension, and even mental disorders.

In order to help psoriasis patients be managed and treated locally, a network of specialized psoriasis clinics has been deployed at many medical facilities across the country.

After two years of implementation, the country has 26 specialized psoriasis clinics operating effectively, helping thousands of patients access specialized services right at the grassroots level, significantly reducing costs and travel time.

This model helps manage patients more effectively, ensures proper monitoring and treatment, patients have access to appropriate systemic and biological drugs, while reducing costs, travel time and improving quality of life./.

From October 27 to 31, the Department of Daytime Inpatient Treatment, Central Dermatology Hospital organized free examination and consultation for people with psoriasis and other comorbidities.

The World Psoriasis Day 2025 message emphasizes the importance of comprehensive treatment, aiming at physical and mental health for patients.

Patients can make an appointment through hotline 1900 6951 .

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/xem-xet-nang-muc-chi-tra-bao-hiem-y-te-cho-thuoc-dieu-tri-benh-vay-nen-post1072543.vnp