Suspicious patients of SI have occurred in succession in Korea, but the medicine ‘Tamiflu’ which is the only cure for SI (Swine Influenza) is very expensive to buy and the Korean government doesn’t subsidize SI patients , so if patients buy the medicine, they have an intolerable burden for payment without support of health insurance.
According to HIRA (Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service)’s insurance supports standards about Tamiflu since April29, patients can be subsidized about buying Tamiflu after influenza warnings were announced by the government and in case that influenza viruses are recognized. Also, in case of animal influenza, HIRA allows to use the medicine just for AI (Avian Influenza) to prevent and cure the disease.
Therefore, if SI patients visit hospital to cure their disease, they should pay all of expenses when patients follow the recent notification. One Tamiflu tablet is 3,100 Won (in U.S about 3$). Patients should take it twice a day. When it is calculated for 5days, patients should pay 35,000 Won.
The government didn’t anticipate that influenza may emerge when it revised notification after AI appeared in the world.
“HIRA should include SI to the insurance support standard as soon as possible to cure patients flexibly.” The medical profession stressed.
Source : Naver news Naver photo
