Since autumn last year, the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic has already included 35 new medicines in 39 indications, based on the recommendations of the Categorisation Commission. These are also the most recent medicines for patients with generalised myasthenia gravis, advanced systemic mastocytosis, symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and also for patients with Friedreich Ataxia.
After patients with achondroplasia (inches) and cystic fibrosis, patients with rare Friedreich's Ataxia have access to treatment covered by public health insurance in Slovakia. On 13 March 2026 the Health Minister Kamil Šaško, following the recommendation of the Categorisation Commission, decided that the medicine for the advanced treatment of patients with the disease is classified as a categorised medicine, i.e. those covered by public health insurance. The decision is published onhttps://categoryizacia.mzsr.sk/Lieky/common/decisionDetails/10082
–Categorisation of the first and only medicinal product for Friedreich ataxia is essentiala systemic step that significantly improves care for all patientswith this serious rare disease. It is not a question of one patient or individual success. I am very proud of this and, moreover, the state has managed to negotiate with the marketing authorisation holder much more favourable conditions than long-term said, said Minister of Health Kamil Šaško.
Categorisation was preceded by intensive negotiations of MZ SR with the holder of the marketing authorisation of the medicinal product in question. At the beginning of this year, both parties reached an agreement on the conditions for reimbursement of the medicinal product under the MEA Treaty. Following the signature of the contract by both parties, the process continued in accordance with existing legislation. The contract was submitted to the CEC meeting. Following its vote on 11 March 2026, a recommendation was submitted to the Minister for Health, who signed it on 13 March 2026.

The process of categorization in SR starts with the registration holder submitting an application for the categorization of a medicinal product under the legislation. National Institute for Health Value and Technology (NIHO) issues an evaluation of the medicinal product, on the basis of which the Ministry begins negotiations with the holder of the registration and the expert working group. After the signature of the contract of the MZ and the holders of the registration, this together with the supporting documents is submitted to the Categorisation Board. It shall make a recommendation to the Minister of Health after the meeting, who shall take a decision.