The burden of medical expenses is increasing
In Finland, subsidies for medicines are divided into two categories: subsidies for basic medicines and subsidies for special medicines. The basic drug subsidy means that when an ordinary patient buys drugs in a pharmacy with a prescription, he or she has to pay 10 euros out-of-pocket for drugs each time, and the Finnish Social Insurance Institution grants a 42% subsidy on the cost of drugs for the part that exceeds 10 euros. The special drug subsidy is divided into two levels: patients with severe chronic diseases, such as diabetes or cancer, pay only 3 euros out of their own pocket for medicines when they buy medicines with a prescription, and the part of the medicines that exceeds 3 euros is fully subsidized by the Finnish Social Insurance Institution; patients with other chronic diseases, such as hypertension, asthma and heart disease, pay only 5 euros out of their own pocket for medicines when they buy medicines with a prescription, and the part of the medicines that exceeds 5 euros is subsidized by the Finnish Social Insurance Institution at a rate of 72 per cent. The Finnish Social Insurance Institution subsidizes 72 per cent of the cost. If a patient's yearly medication costs more than 672.70 euros, the excess is fully compensated by the insurance organization, and the patient only needs to pay 1.5 euros of the **** burden each time he or she purchases medication.