"Krone" ombudswoman

82-year-old Styrian woman deprived of medication

Ingrid W. is disappointed with ÖGK. After years of tolerance, she now has to switch to a new medication to save money.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Ingrid W.)

After years of habit, the senior citizen has to try out which alternative she can tolerate as a diabetes patient because of "a few euros". 

According to Ingrid W., she has been a diabetic for 30 years. She has been taking tablets to regulate her blood sugar levels for years, which she tolerated well. This came to an end a year ago. The Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) suddenly refused to approve the medication. Ms. W. should switch to a cheaper generic, they said.