Diabetes treatment costs have exceeded 3.3 billion lei, an increase of 59% over five years

Romania spent over 3.3 billion lei on diabetes treatment in 2025-a 59% increase compared to five years ago-as the number of patients enrolled in the National Diabetes Program reached over 1.3 million, stated Larisa Mezinu-Bălan, President of the National Health Insurance House (CNAS). The official highlighted the need to prevent obesity-one of the primary modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes-arguing that investments in prevention could reduce the costs subsequently borne by the healthcare system.

• Expenditures are rising faster than the number of patients

"The cost of diabetes has increased by 59% over the last five years. The number of patients treated between 2021 and 2025 has remained relatively stable, yet costs are rising-and rising significantly," said Larisa Mezinu-Bălan during the roundtable discussion "Obesity Never Sleeps. What Are You Doing About It? When Weight Becomes a Health Issue." The event was organized by ENDO Pacienţi (Association of Patients with Endocrine Diseases) in partnership with the Coalition of Organizations of Patients with Chronic Conditions in Romania. According to the CNAS President, more than 1.3 million patients are enrolled in the National Diabetes Program, with related expenditures exceeding 3.3 billion lei by the end of last year. Larisa Mezinu-Bălan further pointed out that three out of every four patients enrolled in the treatment programs managed by the National Health Insurance House (CNAS) have diabetes. Out of the 1.8 million people enrolled across the 17 national programs, nearly 1.4 million are patients in the National Diabetes Program.

• CNAS is developing a funding mechanism for insulin pump supplies

The head of the CNAS announced that the institution intends to establish a mechanism through which the supplies required for insulin pumps can be funded via retail pharmacies. This measure aims to alleviate the financial burden on patients-an issue that has been brought to the institution's attention on several occasions.

Larisa Mezinu-Bălan noted that while obesity is relatively rarely recorded as a formal diagnosis in CNAS records, the institution covers the costs for numerous treatments, medical investigations, and hospital services associated with this condition. In her view, the healthcare system should place greater emphasis on prevention, including by involving family physicians. "It is better to focus on a genuine investment in health-namely, prevention at the level of the family physician," stated the CNAS president, who also cautioned that delayed interventions lead to higher costs for treating obesity-related diseases.