Belgian PM receives implant his govt has restricted:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
The lack of reimbursement in Belgium for drug-eluting stents has been highlighted following the Belgian Prime Minister, Guy Verhofstadt, requiring such an implant during an emergency operation on March 30. In Belgium, drug-eluting stents are only reimbursed for patients who are diabetic. With the Belgian healthcare system under the pressure because of escalating costs (see next week's issue), it seems unlikely that the government will change its policy over drug-eluting stents, although the Prime Minister may find himself having to answer some difficult questions.