Turkey's Health Coverage: 15 New Medicines Added

Turkey Expands Public Coverage to Include 15 New Medicines

Turkey’s Ministry of Labor and Social Security has announced a significant expansion of the country’s social insurance system, adding 15 new medications to the list of drugs fully reimbursed by the state. The update includes several advanced treatments for cancer, marking an important step toward improving access to critical healthcare.

Key Changes

According to Minister Vedat Işıkhan, the newly reimbursed medicines include modern oncology drugs, alongside updates to prescription and medical reporting procedures for several chronic and complex conditions.

Updated Medical Reporting Rules

The revised regulations apply to patients with:

• Multiple myeloma
• Hidradenitis suppurativa
• Giant cell arteritis
• Chronic iron overload

“These updates expand access to treatment and simplify the pathway for patients to obtain the medications they need,” Minister Işıkhan said.

Impact on Patients

The inclusion of these high-cost medications is expected to ease the financial burden on individuals undergoing cancer treatment and other serious medical therapies.

Health authorities note that the decision aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen Turkey’s public healthcare support and ensure equitable access to essential treatments.

Next Steps for Patients

To benefit from the new reimbursement scheme, patients must consult their healthcare provider, who will issue the required documentation and prescriptions based on the updated guidelines.

This expansion represents a significant enhancement to Turkey's healthcare safety net, particularly for patients requiring specialized and costly treatments.