Citizens' spending on medicines is constantly increasing, as the need for medical care increases due to the aging of the population. However, public funds for drug reimbursement remain stable.
According to official data, pharmaceutical products worth 28.1 billion lek (about 281 million euros) were imported in 2024. In the same year, the drug reimbursement fund amounted to 12 billion lek, meaning that the state covered only 120 million euros out of the total 281 million euros spent by citizens on medicines. Thus, about 160 million euros were paid from citizens' own resources.
The value of imported medicines increased by 5% year-on-year in 2024. However, the reimbursement budget decreased by 1% compared to the previous year. The ratio of state reimbursement to imports decreased from 45% in 2023 to 42.6% in 2024. Overall, imports of medicines increased by 16% between 2019 and 2024, while the needs of the population remain higher than imports.
Albania, due to high poverty rates and low incomes, has limited access to innovative treatments. The International Monetary Fund has recommended that the government increase public spending on health and education. At the same time, the World Bank has called for more investment in human capital, especially in the health and education sectors.
According to a survey by “Security Meter” in six countries in the region, Albanians are the most concerned about the cost of medical care. 24% said they cannot even cover basic medical expenses, while the corresponding figure was 16% in North Macedonia and Bosnia, 20% in Montenegro and Serbia, and 9% in Kosovo.
The high level of concern among citizens is related to low incomes and limited government spending on drug reimbursement. Patients with chronic or rare diseases are forced to pay for their treatments themselves, as these are not included in the reimbursement lists.
In 2024, total government spending on health amounted to 75.9 billion Lek, compared to 77.9 Billion lek in the revised budget. Although the country's health needs are increasing, the health budget is growing at a slower rate than total government spending.
