German pharmaceutical spending up by 5%
This article was originally published in Scrip
German spending on pharmaceuticals in 2007 rose by 5% to reach €41.7 billion, according to federal statistics office (Destatis) data released to coincide with World Health Day 2009.
Part of this rise was attributable to the hike in VAT, from 16% to 19%, on January 1st 2007, said Destatis.
Spending on disease prevention totalled €10.1 billion, up by 8.9%, a large increase due to greater spending on immunisation.
The spending rise in both categories outstripped the average increase of 3.2% for all healthcare spending in Germany in 2007. Overall spending reached €252.8 billion, but as a proportion of GDP, it was 0.1 percentage points down, at 10.4% (10.5% in 2006). Each German citizen cost an average of €3,070 in healthcare spending in 2007.
The statutory sickness funds were the greatest recipient of the extra €7.8 billion available in 2007, claiming an additional €5.4 billion and totalling €145.4 billion (+4%; 57.5% of the total) for the year. Private sickness funds received €23.5 billion.
Almost half of healthcare spending (€124.4 billion; - 49.2%) in 2007 was attributable to the outpatient sector.
Destatis notes that its 2007 healthcare data, above, are based on the OECD/ WHO /Eurostat-recognised System of Health Accounts, to allow international spending comparisons on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and care.