For the second year in a row, the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (CHIF) is preparing the procedure of joint procurement of great value for medicinal products from the List of Particularly Expensive Medicinal Products (PSL).The aim of the joint procurement of medicinal products is primarily to ensure an uninterrupted supply of medicinal products and achieve savings when multiple bidders are involved. However, the experience of last year's procurement of PSL medicinal products indicated certain shortcomings in the process.

With this document, we want to offer possible solutions that would correct the perceived shortcomings of the procurement process so as to increase the share of non-price criteria in relation to the price criterion in the documentation on the procurement of medicinal products from the PSL. We believe that the application of these proposals would ensure an unhindered supply of medicines for Croatian patients, a favorable financial effect for the contracting authority, the application of relevant regulations and would avoid the unfavorable market position of certain bidders.

PSL medicinal products are extremely valuable medicinal products for which there is no substitute in case of shortages. The inability to maintain a continuous supply of PSL medicinal products poses a public health risk and discriminates against patients in Croatia compared to other EU citizens where there are robust mechanisms to prevent shortages.