There were two days in which opinions were accepted on the draft decree, Szócska said, adding that he does not think the measure will shorten human lives.

“If they take away our medicine, we shall have to die sooner,” the foundation Heal With Us will relay in a position paper to the Human Resources Ministry, rejecting the decree. It would consider broader consultations, foundation president László Szegõ told Inforádió.

Some Ft 1-2 billion could be saved by the measure, news website Index has reported.

Szócska characterised such opinion as a misunderstanding, saying it is essential that all patients receive the therapy which they need, but that their bodies should not be burdened with unnecessary medication. It is the government’s goal to ensure that all patients receive needed medication, rather than to save money, he said, adding that despite all the media pessimism, upgrading of oncology will start in a month and the government will spend Ft 10 billion on the project.

Source: Hungary Around the Clock

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