Lower Prices for Over 300 Medicines in the Region, Including Cardiovascular Drugs
The annual review of medicine prices brings significant cuts for important drugs, while Kosovo closely tracks regional developments.
SKOPJE/PRISHTINA — More than 300 medicines will have lower prices in the region, including drugs for cardiovascular disease, according to a report published by Tetovasot and the Zhurnal.mk portal at the end of March, also referenced during April by Kosovo media in the context of the country’s debate over medicine pricing.
According to the report, the price of “Xarelto” (rivaroxaban), used to treat cardiovascular disease, has been significantly reduced: from 2,307.48 to 1,606.10 denars for 15mg and 20mg tablets, and from 824.10 to 589.45 denars for 10mg tablets. The new prices are scheduled to take effect from May 1.
What It Means for Patients in Kosovo
Although medicine price lists are approved separately in each country, regional pressure for harmonisation shapes procurement and reimbursement policies. Kosovo’s Ministry of Health periodically publishes the official list of maximum medicine prices, while local portals Kallxo and Dukagjini have repeatedly reported on the list’s update and debates over the implementation deadline.
According to Tetovasot’s paraphrase of the ministry’s decision in North Macedonia, “Xarelto” is presented as a priority drug to be included in the primary healthcare positive list during 2026.
Patient associations for chronic illnesses have long called for an expansion of the reimbursable medicines list in Kosovo, particularly for drugs used in cardiovascular, diabetic and oncological disease. They argue that pharmaceutical poverty is a real concern for low-income families.
Health policy experts stress that implementing an effective positive list requires coordination among the Ministry of Health, the Health Insurance Fund and pharmaceutical operators, with adequate budgeting and transparent procurement procedures.
Updating prices and the discussion on reimbursable medicines is expected to remain a central topic of Kosovo’s public health debate in the coming months.
Source: Tetovasot, Zhurnal.mk and reports in Kallxo and Dukagjini, March-April 2026.