The Government has developed a systematic solution for funding in the treatment of rare diseases through allocation of MKD 1 from a cigarette pack, following amendments to the Excise Law, says Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski on his Facebook profile.

"The challenge of treating patients with rare diseases is a global challenge. Although rare diseases hit one out of 2,000 people, yet they affect numerous individuals and families, having great impact on lives… Our task is to find ways to overcome this challenge, to provide support to families and fight for the health of our fellow citizens. It is our obligation to find a way to fund this fight, within the adequate scale and appropriate manner. We have developed a systematic solution, and upon the model of European countries, by amending the Excise Law, MKD 1 will be allocated from each cigarette pack for funding of the treatment of rare diseases in the Republic of Macedonia.", says PM Gruevski.

According to projections, the funds would annually amount to about MKD 250 million (EUR 4,05 million).

"Let's continue to fight together, the struggle of each individual is a struggle of all of us", underlines Gruevski.