In addition to cancer, medicines for cystic fibrosis patients will also be included in the reimbursement scope

With the regulation of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, 5 immunotherapy drugs used in the treatment of 25 different cancer subtypes such as lung, breast and skin, as well as the drug that cystic fibrosis patients have been waiting for a long time, will also be included in the SGK's reimbursement list.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced at yesterday's Cabinet Meeting that 5 smart drugs used in the treatment of 25 different cancer subtypes were included in the reimbursement list.

According to the statement made by the Ministry of Health regarding the decision in question, which is of critical importance for patients, the aim of the arrangement made with the Ministry of Labor and Social Security is to facilitate access to medicine, especially for cancer patients.

With the regulation, 5 immunotherapy drugs related to 25 different cancer types, including classical Hodgkin lymphoma, melanoma, malignant melanoma, colorectal cancer, small cell lung cancer, stomach cancer, renal cell carcinoma and breast cancer, will be included in the reimbursement scope.

In addition, the regulation in question includes a welcome development for patients with cystic fibrosis, a hereditary disease that affects the mucus and sweat glands in the respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems of individuals, and causes serious damage, especially in organs such as the lungs, liver, pancreas, intestines and sinuses.

In addition to the 5 immunotherapy drugs, the drug used in the treatment of cystic fibrosis will also be included in the Social Security Institution (SGK) reimbursement list.

Approximately 48,000 cancer patients and approximately 1,000 cystic fibrosis patients will benefit from the new regulation. With the latest regulation, the number of cancer drugs on the reimbursement list will increase to 784.

Providing information to members of the press regarding the regulation, the General Director of Health Services of the Ministry of Health, Hasan Basri Velioğlu, explained that "immunotherapy" drugs are smart drugs and that they regulate the immune system, enabling cancer cells to be caught and killed.

Velioğlu stated that the drugs in question can be administered separately or together with chemotherapy.

Stating that the drugs included in the payment list can be used in 25 different types of cancer such as lung, intestine, stomach, nipple, head and neck, Velioğlu said, "These drugs can be supplied and applied to the patient by all university hospitals with oncology centers, foundation universities, education and research hospitals, state hospitals and private hospitals. The person will be able to access these drugs at the same center where they receive their treatment."

Velioğlu pointed out that a single doctor's drug report and prescription issued by the relevant specialist physician before the treatment would be sufficient, and noted the following:

"Approximately 48 thousand of our citizens will have the opportunity to access treatment. The regulation will be implemented in a short time after the official procedures are completed. Our cancer patients will be able to access these smart immunotherapy drugs without paying any fee. A total of 784 cancer drugs have been included in the scope of reimbursement, including the 5 smart drugs that our President announced yesterday."