The popular estrogen spray Lenzetto will no longer be included in Sweden's high-cost protection scheme starting April 1. The company behind the product chose to raise the price after Tandvårds- och läkemedelsförmånsverket (TLV), the authority that decides which medicines should be subsidized, sought to lower it. This decision has coincided with shortages, as the spray is out of stock in large parts of the country.
The exact new price after April 1 has not been disclosed. TLV's role in pushing down medicine prices has influenced company strategies. According to TV4 Nyheterna, gynecologist and researcher Helena Kopp Kallner described how TLV's pricing pressure makes companies choose to ship production to other countries where they earn more money.
TLV pushes down the prices of medicines which makes companies choose to ship production to other countries where they earn more money. Prices in Europe are higher than they are in Sweden.
She noted that prices in Europe are higher than in Sweden. Now, with the preparation no longer subsidized by the state, the company can raise the price, and according to TV4 Nyheterna, Kallner described that this makes it more profitable to send the medicine to Sweden. The company has stated that the product will become more easily available.
It remains unclear whether this increased availability will materialize as claimed. The financial impact on patients is significant, with annual costs expected to rise. According to TV4 Nyheterna, Kallner described that if a patient uses two sprays daily, annual consumption is estimated to be around 1,500 kronor.
Now the company can raise the price and at the same time it becomes more profitable to send the medicine to Sweden. This increases the availability of the medicine in Sweden but at a significantly higher price.
The final price depends on pharmacy pricing. Pharmacies set their own prices when goods are outside the benefit scheme, adding uncertainty for consumers. The number of women in Sweden currently using Lenzetto is not known.
Criticism of Sweden's medicine subsidy system has emerged, with calls for policy review. According to TV4 Nyheterna, Kallner described the situation as a catastrophe for Swedish women and argued that the system for medicine subsidies in Sweden should be reviewed. She added that something must be done regarding Sweden's medicine policy, at least when it comes to medicines for women, because this has been a huge problem for several years.
If you use two sprays daily, an annual consumption is expected to be around 1,500 kronor. But we'll have to see when the price is really set and where it ends up. Then pharmacies set their own prices when goods are outside the benefit scheme.
TLV's official response or justification for wanting to lower the price has not been detailed in available reports. Lenzetto holds medical importance for treating conditions like menopausal symptoms and endometriosis. The estrogen spray contains bioidentical estrogen used to treat menopausal symptoms.
According to TV4 Nyheterna, Kallner described that it replaces the estrogen that is no longer there. She noted that the spray is actually the only preparation where doctors have the possibility to give very low estrogen doses. She added that it is also used in the treatment of endometriosis where patients might need to maintain fairly low doses of estrogen.
This is a catastrophe for Swedish women and that the system for medicine subsidies in Sweden should be reviewed.
Potential alternatives exist, but patients are advised to consult medical professionals. According to TV4 Nyheterna, Kallner described that if patients switch to gel, they can take half a dose, for example, but this is something they must discuss with their doctor. The specific alternatives to Lenzetto available and their costs are not detailed in the reports.
Something must be done regarding Sweden's medicine policy at least when it comes to medicines for women because this has been a huge problem for several years.
It replaces the estrogen that is no longer there.
The spray is actually the only preparation where we have the possibility to give very low estrogen doses. It is something we also use in the treatment of endometriosis where you might want to keep to fairly low doses of estrogen. If you switch to gel you can take half a dose for example, but this is something you have to discuss with your doctor.