Health · Healthcare & Policy · 5 hrs ago
MSD challenges German health insurance savings law at constitutional court
MSD has challenged parts of Germany’s health insurance savings law at the Federal Constitutional Court.
The company is the German subsidiary of US pharmaceutical group Merck.
The government’s plan aims to stabilise contributions to Germany’s statutory health insurance system.
It would require drugmakers to give larger rebates, reducing the amount they receive for medicines, and impose stricter reimbursement rules.
MSD says the changes could cost it nearly €1 billion, according to the story.
The company makes Keytruda, a cancer medicine and one of the world’s best-selling drugs.
The court will consider MSD’s complaint; no decision or timetable is given.
MSD, the German subsidiary of US pharmaceutical company Merck, has filed a constitutional complaint against parts of Germany’s statutory health insurance savings law.
The complaint was submitted to the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe, MSD Germany chief Kevin Peters told Handelsblatt.
The law aims to stabilize contributions to statutory health insurance through higher pharmaceutical rebates and stricter reimbursement rules.
The plans could cost Merck nearly one billion euros, according to Handelsblatt.
MSD makes Keytruda, one of the world’s highest-selling medicines.
- Who
- MSD, the German subsidiary of Merck.
- What
- It filed a constitutional complaint against central provisions of the statutory health insurance contribution stabilisation law.
- When
- Not stated.
- Where
- At the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe, Germany.
- Why
- The complaint challenges government savings measures that include higher pharmaceutical rebates and stricter reimbursement rules.
MSD
German government
Savings law
MSD
MSD has filed a constitutional complaint against central provisions of the law.
German government
The government’s package aims to stabilize statutory health insurance contributions through higher pharmaceutical rebates and stricter reimbursement rules.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Company
- MSD, the German subsidiary of Merck
- Court
- Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe
- Law
- Statutory health insurance contribution stabilisation law
- Potential cost
- Nearly one billion euros
- Medicine
- Keytruda
What people are saying
The simpler alternative would be a complete withdrawal.