THE PHARMACEUTICAL BENEFIT IN THE SPANISH NATIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM. LEGAL CHANGES

The pharmaceutical benefit in Spain, as part of the health benefit, has suffered an important evolution with a constant increase in the expenditure financed by public funds. In the context of global crisis we are living in, it has forced to adopt some measures oriented to ensure the quality and level of the health benefit, guaranteeing at the same time the sustainability and viability of the whole system. This article is a summary of all the initiatives that have been taken based on the pharmaceutical expenditure control, in order to obtain the survival of the pharmaceutical benefit.