Remedies Report 2026: Social Insurance Spent 4.9 Billion Euros on Medications

Cost Development and EKO

A significant driver of cost development is the growing list of reimbursable medications. The Reimbursement Code (EKO), which regulates which medications are reimbursed in Austria and under what conditions and prices, has recorded a 50 percent increase since its introduction 20 years ago. The number of pharmaceutical companies listed in the EKO also rose significantly: from 258 in 2013 to 329 in 2025.

At the report's presentation, the speed with which new medications become available in Austria was also highlighted. 82 percent of the remedies newly approved in Europe between 2020 and 2023 are already available in Austria. The average time from approval to market availability is 309 days in Austria, compared with 578 days in the EU average.

Claudia Neumayer-Stickler, deputy chairwoman of the Conference of Social Insurance Providers, emphasized the importance of the system: „Unser Erstattungssystem stellt sicher, dass jede versicherte Person die Medikamente bekommt, die sie braucht, unabhängig vom Einkommen oder dem sozioökonomischen Status. Das ist keine Selbstverständlichkeit, das ist das Ergebnis eines solidarischen Systems."

Rapid Availability of New Therapies

Peter McDonald, chairman of the Conference of Social Insurance Providers, pointed to the rapid availability of innovative therapies: „Österreich gehört zu den Ländern, in denen Medikamente und neue Therapien besonders rasch den Weg zu den Patientinnen und Patienten finden."

On the subject of reimbursement, however, reliable industrial partners are also needed, as stated in the press release: „Wer innovative Medikamente schnell verfügbar haben will, braucht Partner in der Industrie, die in Forschung und Entwicklung investieren, und ein System, das diesen Zugang strukturiert absichert."

More than two-thirds of patients get by with medications from the "green box," that is, with preparations that can be prescribed by a physician without further approval. The Remedies Report is to be published annually in the future and provide a comprehensive data basis on the development of pharmaceutical supply in Austria.

Pharmacy Density at Record Level

With 2,251 pharmacy locations, Austria in 2025 counted more public pharmacies than ever before. That was 11 percent more than in 2024 and 86 percent more than in 2013. The increase is interpreted in the report as a sign of broad, locally accessible supply.

Overall, the umbrella organization points out that the solidarity-based healthcare system continues to ensure broad access to medications despite sharply rising costs. However, the report also shows that the financial burdens for social insurance are likely to continue rising in the coming years as more and more new and often high-priced therapies are added to the EKO.