The Cyprus health insurance organisation (HIO) on Monday broke its silence over mounting criticism about delays in approving innovative medicines, pointing to chronic understaffing and the complex nature of pharmaceutical evaluations.

In a statement, the health insurance admitted that the process for reimbursing new drugs is slow, but insisted the blame is not theirs alone. A key factor, they said, is the length of negotiations with pharmaceutical companies, which often fail to reach swift pricing and reimbursement agreements.

The HIO said the recent influx of innovative treatments, many with uncertain clinical outcomes, has placed additional pressure on the system. 

“The HIO bears a significant responsibility in determining the real effectiveness of these therapies,” the statement said.

In response, HIO outlined a series of measures aimed at improving speed and transparency. These include strengthening internal evaluation systems, cutting down delays, working more closely with pharmaceutical firms and adopting best practices from other countries.

Plans are also in place to launch talks earlier, speed up access programmes and introduce reforms to make the system more efficient and open. One key change involves signing longer-term agreements with drug companies to improve time management.

Responding to media comparisons with faster systems abroad, HIO argued that such assessments are misleading. It said that in many countries, only the evaluation and reimbursement stages are counted. They often omit the critical stage of drafting clinical protocols, which HIO said is time-consuming but vital to ensuring each treatment is used appropriately and effectively.

Germany’s model, often cited in discussions, was described as selective. According to HIO, it only applies to medicines that showed strong innovation during licensing and was built over decades with the aim of boosting industry competitiveness.

The organisation also defended the use of clinical protocols, which guide doctors through evidence-based decision-making. These protocols, it said, ensure that patients receive the most suitable treatments while avoiding inefficient practices.

Addressing concerns over rejected treatment requests, HIO stressed that decisions are made by a respected, multi-disciplinary committee. Their focus is always on patient benefit, and the process is designed to shield decisions from outside influence.

To address the root of the problem, HIO confirmed it has started recruiting more staff to tackle shortages that have hampered its performance.

The health insurance reaffirmed its commitment to providing timely and fair access to innovative treatments for all citizens. It said it will continue refining its procedures, managing resources responsibly, and working with all parties involved.

“Our duty is to reward real innovation,” the HIO stated, “and ensure that every patient receives the most appropriate medication, exactly when they need it.”