Press Release: Reimbursement of pharmaceuticals: Commission requests Spain to ensure the transparency of its decisions

The European Commission on 17 October 2005 took steps against Spain because the conditions of reimbursement of certain medicinal products (such as different anti-inflammatory medicines, treatments for diabetics or anti-thrombosis products) were not adequately justified. The Commission considered that the procedure applied in Spain was not based on objective and verifiable criteria, as required by EU legislation. Faced with this background, the Commission formally asked Spain in a letter (reasoned opinion) to introduce more transparent decision-making procedures for the reimbursement of medicinal products.