Court rules that medication must be covered by the Social Security Institution (SGK)

The Ankara 61st Labor Court has ruled that the Social Security Institution (SGK) must cover the cost of a medication required for the treatment of 3-year-old U.T.D., who was diagnosed with 'cystic fibrosis' shortly after birth, with each box costing approximately 800 thousand TL.

U.T.D. was diagnosed with 'cystic fibrosis,' a genetic disease that affects the respiratory and digestive systems. 

Two boxes of the medication were prescribed annually for the treatment of the disease. However, the family's application was rejected on the grounds that it was not on the SGK's medication reimbursement list. The family applied to the Ankara 61st Labor Court through their lawyers.

COURT STATED THAT THE MEDICATION IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE

The court stated that, according to the medical report, the medication is of vital importance for U.T.D.'s treatment and is much more effective than existing treatment methods. 

Following the report, the court emphasized the constitutional right to health and life, as well as the concept of a social state, pointing to the state's obligation to protect the health and right to life of its citizens.

The court's decision included the statement, "The state is obligated to ensure that everyone maintains their life in physical and mental health. Protecting the right to life, which is a fundamental human right, is among the state's primary duties." Furthermore, it was ruled that the medication must be covered by the SGK without interruption throughout the treatment period following the SGK's rejection of the application.

IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE MEDICATION BE COVERED BY THE SGK

The plaintiff family's lawyer, Eliz Atlı, stated that the outcome of the case guarantees the child's access to the medication for life, saying, "Since the medication is brought in specifically from abroad, a large sum was involved. However, the court decided that the medication should be covered by the SGK within the framework of the social state principle and constitutional rights."

Atlı said that the child is currently able to use his medication and that it is a drug whose efficacy and reliability have been proven, with clinical trials also ongoing in Turkey.

News Source: 12punto