Consequences of the increase of the pharmaceutical copayment in Spain: A new material deprivation

Abstract

The law changes implemented by the Spanish government during the economic crisis started in 2007 have led to a restructuring of the pharmaceutical co-payment system. The aim of this research is to analyze what legislative changes have been introduced in health policy in Spain and how these reforms are influencing access to medicines. A methodological triangulation has been developed through the review of the specialized bibliography, analysis of the legislative changes as regards the pharmaceutical copayment implemented by the Spanish government as well as the most relevant databases with our object of study. Our research confirms that a social polarization is taking place in the Spanish population in relation to access to drugs, improved by a system of copayment that is not very progressive and does not take the needs of each social group into account.