HIO admits delays in drug approvals, blames understaffing

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