Commission answer to Question E-013029/2015 of 20 November 2015

2.12.2015

Question for written answer E-015305-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Herbert Reul (PPE)

The Commission has unfortunately failed to answer the question referred to above.

My question concerned the patient’s maximum monthly contribution to the cost of medicines of EUR 8 or 18; according to the information at my disposal, the 10% share of prescription charges which must be paid by pensioners insured in Spain may not exceed one or other of these figures, as applicable. This arrangement applies to persons with an income of up to EUR 100 000. For persons with an income in excess of EUR 100 000, the patient’s contribution is 60% up to a maximum of EUR 60.

Again according to the information at my disposal, this capping arrangement does not apply to pensioners insured in other EU Member States who are permanently resident in Spain and who have submitted the sworn statement (‘declaración jurada’) referred to in the question. They are required to pay the 10% contribution referred to by the Commission, but this is then not capped at EUR 8 or 18.

In other words, when prescribed a medicine which costs EUR 1 000, a pensioner insured in Spain pays a contribution of EUR 18, whilst a pensioner insured in another EU Member States pays one of EUR 100.

In my view, this practice, if it is indeed employed, represents a breach of the principle of the equal treatment of EU citizens.

I therefore ask the Commission again: what view does it take of the fact that pensioners insured in Spain pay a much lower contribution than pensioners insured in other EU Member States?

Does this constitute discrimination against pensioners insured in EU Member States other than Spain?

If so, how does the Commission intend to address this discrimination against EU pensioners in the Spanish healthcare system?