Latvia approves extra 5 million euros for reimbursed medicines
Tuesday 20th October 2026 on 13:15 in
Latvia
Latvia’s government on Tuesday approved an additional 5 million euros for reimbursed medicines, using state budget contingency funds to reduce a funding shortfall and ensure patients can continue treatment, LSM reported.
More than 760,000 people currently receive medicines covered by the state at 75% or 100%. The Health Ministry says most of the medicines are provided to patients with cancer, endocrine, nutritional and metabolic conditions, circulatory or nervous system diseases, and infectious diseases.
The state budget has set aside 352 million euros for the reimbursed medicines system in 2026. Funding was 284.5 million euros in 2024 and 308 million euros in 2025. The number of patients receiving state-funded medicines rose from about 656,000 in 2024 to around 700,000 in 2025, and has continued to grow this year.
The ministry says the budget still falls short of actual needs. Latvia’s public funding for reimbursed medicines is among the lowest in the European Union, it says. Adding medicines to the reimbursement list can also help secure better prices and make necessary treatment available to more patients.