Since 2011, basic health insurance in the Netherlands has excluded coverage for contraceptive pills for women aged 21 and older. Diane-35 remained a key exception, reimbursed as usual until now.
Intended primarily for treating severe acne and excessive hair growth (hirsutism), Diane-35 has been widely prescribed as contraception in practice, as expert consultations have confirmed.
Health Minister Edith Schippers plans to remove Diane-35 from basic insurance reimbursement. Prescriptions have already declined sharply, likely due to safety concerns raised earlier this year.
Source: Nu.nl | Image: Shutterstock
