The annual reimbursement limit for chemotherapy drugs under universal health insurance is AMD 1.2 million per person. Previously, the limit under the state-funded healthcare programme was AMD 160,000, or AMD 300,000 for people with disabilities.

Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan said this during discussions of the draft 2027 state budget at a joint meeting of the National Assembly’s standing committees on health and on financial, credit and budgetary affairs.

“Previously, the limit under the state-funded healthcare programme was AMD 160,000, or AMD 300,000 if the person had a disability. Today, we cover AMD 1.2 million, which has enabled us to meet our citizens’ most essential needs, and this is a very important achievement,” the minister said.

Avanesyan stressed, however, that the current limit was insufficient to fund all medicines used to treat cancer.

“Is AMD 1.2 million enough to cover the full range of medicines currently used against cancer? No. We are very honest, open and clear about our policies,” she said.

The minister explained that actuarial calculations based on an insurance premium of AMD 10,800 a month, or AMD 129,600 a year, allowed for the current level of coverage. The aim is to fund a wider range of medicines in the future.

Turning to the availability of medicines, Avanesyan said suppliers had needed time to adapt to increased demand following the introduction of health insurance. According to her, individual medical centres may experience supply delays, but there are no delays in funding.

“We have no delays in funding here, have not had any and will not have any. We are delivering on the promises we made under the insurance system,” the minister stressed.