Hospital debt to wholesalers for delivered medicines and medical products exceeded 730 million euros at the end of July, the Croatian Employers' Association (HUP) reported on Friday, warning of the seriousness of the debt growth trend because the availability of medicines is already seriously threatened.
The debt of Croatian hospitals to wholesalers for delivered medicines and medical products reached more than 730 million euros as of July 31, of which more than 550 million euros are due and unpaid liabilities.
In July alone, the debt increased by more than 68 million euros on a monthly basis compared to June, which is almost double the average monthly debt growth in the first half of the year. "The trend of such debt growth is worrying and unsustainable," the HUP said.
Wholesale drugstores have exhausted their credit limits with banks and the safe and regular supply of medicines and medical products is already questionable, it added.
The association states that the statements of hospital directors who warn in the media about financial unsustainability and the fact that many hospitals spend more on salaries than the allowed limits, so that after payments to employees only a minimal amount is left to cover other expenses, are particularly worrying.
"The availability of medicines and medical products to patients in Croatian hospitals is already seriously threatened," the HUP points out.
Despite discussions with the Ministry of Health, no solution has been found, so the wholesalers are appealing to the Ministry of Health and the Government to urgently respond with an intervention of at least EUR 500 million in order to immediately stop further debt accumulation and ensure legally prescribed payment deadlines for wholesalers, the HUP statement reads.
Photo: HINA
