Cancer society criticises Kela, welfare regions, and ministry over drug reimbursement dispute

The Finnish Cancer Patients Association has criticised Kela, welfare regions, and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health for the public dispute over cancer drug reimbursements, saying it appears no prior discussions were held.

Jenni Tamminen-Sirkiä, the association’s executive director, told Yle’s A-studio that from patients’ perspective, it is alarming that public debate is focused on who pays for treatment rather than the care itself.

At the start of July, Kela ended reimbursements for 25 drugs in public healthcare, shifting the costs to welfare regions.