After the Latvian state refuses to cover life-saving medications, for some cancer patients, there is only one option left: to seek help from donors. Dozens of patients have already turned to the charity organisation “Ziedot.lv” this year, hoping for public support to continue their treatment, Latvian Television’s 4. studija reported on 29th March.
When a person receives a denial from the National Health Service (NVD) for medication reimbursement, they usually turn to charitable organisations for help, including “Ziedot.lv”.
By early 2026, 42 cancer patients had already turned to the charity “Ziedot.lv” after the state refused to fund their life-saving medications.
Two million euros are needed to give them the chance to continue their treatment.
“I believe it is unacceptable that there are patients who have been granted state-funded treatment, and others who have been denied individual compensation,” said Rūta Dimanta, director of the charity “Ziedot.lv.”
“And relying on the fact that charitable organisations will surely raise the funds, that people will donate. That is not systemic, it is not sustainable, and it is not right.
“As charitable organisations, we would like to help in cases that fall outside of a normal medical treatment process. But we’re talking about the standard medical process. Medications prescribed by a medical board, the only ones that could work for this patient. So he isn’t using other funds from the state budget for other medications, and his request is denied. In my opinion, it is wrong that we simply refer to the Cabinet of Ministers’ regulations, but what are we supposed to tell these people – why exactly have they fallen through the cracks of our assistance system? Why them specifically? What is the answer? I don’t have one,” Dimanta continued.
The director of “Ziedot.lv” believes that the Cabinet of Ministers’ regulations, which have long restricted patients’ rights to equal treatment by the state in terms of medical care and medication reimbursement, should have been revised long ago. A sort of system has even developed that doctors warn patients in advance that the state will not reimburse the medication and that they will have to ask donors for help.
The program “4. studija” previously reported on Līva, a cancer patient from Viesīte. In 2024, she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer; over the course of the year, the cancer cells spread throughout her body, and Līva is now in stage 4 of the disease. Her life is in danger because the medications included in oncology treatment guidelines are not helping. True, some drugs help other patients in Europe, but they are not covered in Latvia. To survive, Līva asked for help from fellow citizens, who quickly raised 56,000 euros.
The medication costs 8,000 euros a month.
“I understand the doctors; they want the best for their patient. They see that the National Health Service won’t cover this – they know that from experience – and they present it as a solution. But fundamentally, this isn’t a systemically correct approach. We must change things so that everyone has the opportunity to receive this treatment. And in Līva’s case, 8,000 euros a month for the state, and given that there are two children to raise, isn’t much. It’s not a large sum for the state budget, but it’s a huge amount for the family.
“And, if we look at it cynically, if the mother dies, both children will receive survivor’s pensions until they are 24 years old. If we add it all up, it will likely be much more, over the years, than the cost of the medication. We also have to look at this from a human perspective: a child needs parents. But on the other hand, if Līva doesn’t receive medication and is prescribed palliative care, those costs will also be enormous. That will also take a long time. She will be prescribed medication that she is supposedly entitled to from the state, but it doesn’t help. If she uses it, that money will also be spent,” explained the director of “Ziedot.lv.”
This year, 5,100 cancer patients are not receiving reimbursement for necessary medications, and the situation is no better for patients with other diagnoses. There is also a catastrophic shortage of funds for healthcare in those areas.
Latvia’s reimbursable medication system currently helps approximately 700,000 residents. The state provides this support in three ways—through the list of reimbursable medications, individual reimbursement, and in situations where there is a direct threat to the patient’s life. Then, following a decision by a panel of doctors from three medical institutions, the National Health Service (NVD) can pay for the medication the patient needs from a special fund with a budget of one million euros per year.
“In recent years, funding for reimbursable medications in oncology has doubled. Currently, we spend at least 108 million on oncology patients. That’s looking at the big picture. So, if the budget for reimbursable medications is 324 million, then currently nearly a third goes to oncology, which is about 90,000 patients,” explained Inese Kaupere, Director of the Pharmacy Department at the Ministry of Health.
The good news is that, for nearly two years now, the individual drug reimbursement limit has been raised to 30,000 euros per year, up from the previous 14,000 euros.
“It’s not that the government isn’t doing anything. But the NVD can only do as much as the allocated budget allows. And the NVD doesn’t set this budget itself, and we don’t have a money mint in the basement. So we are dependent on the allocated budget,” explained NVD representative Zinta Rugāja.
This year, the budget for reimbursable medications has been increased by just 2.5 million euros to ensure the availability of new medications for children.