Slovakia Country Report and Recommendations to the Ministry of Health: Access to Opioid Medications in Europe (ATOME)

Slovakia is one of the countries with statistical evidence of inadequate morphine consumption per capita. In 2006, the adequacy of opioid analgesic consumption was 58% - based on a per capita consumption of 120.98 morphine equivalents (mEq) while 210 mg would have been adequate for treatment of all pain conditions[1]. Slovakia was selected as one of the countries to participate in the ATOME project due to this reason. Four years later, in 2010, the adequacy of opioid analgesic consumption had even decreased (both in absolute and in relative terms) – it was only 27%[2] (based on a per capita consumption of opioid analgesics of 74.28 morphine equivalents (mEq) while 275.76 mEq in mg per capita would have been adequate). This report presents a summary of the results of the situational analysis that has been undertaken with regard to opioid availability and accessibility in Slovakia. The results of the situational analysis are divided in two parts: the first part addresses legal and regulatory issues and the second part focuses on issues relating to policy. Both parts present the main barriers and recommendations for improving access to opioid medication in Slovakia.