At the meeting of the AmCham Health and Wellbeing Committee, held on September 25, 2025, members addressed one of the most pressing issues in Slovenian healthcare – access to medicines. The discussion took place alongside the presentation of the committee’s draft position paper and preparations for the upcoming AmCham Focus event, aimed at finding solutions for a more stable and predictable system.

Members emphasized that access to modern medicines must be understood as a strategic investment, not a cost. Only through balanced cooperation between the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia (ZZZS), healthcare providers, and the pharmaceutical industry will it be possible to ensure that patients receive innovative and effective therapies on time, while maintaining the long-term sustainability of the healthcare system.

Particular attention was drawn to the issue of sick leave, where annual expenditures amount to approximately €700 million, with an average of 58,000 people on sick leave every day, and the number continues to grow by about 2% annually. Members highlighted that these are costs that could be reduced in the long term through more efficient processes and faster introduction of innovations in treatment.

The upcoming AmCham Focus event will address the question of how to position access to medicines as a cornerstone of the sustainable development of healthcare, as well as an investment in people’s quality of life and the competitiveness of society.