Problems of introduction of drug costs limits for the health establishments in the Czech Republic and in Slovakia are analysed. Ministry of Health of Slovakia assessed in October 2002 material “Actualisation of the drug policy of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic”, which brings an intention to introduce both the drug costs limits and systemic support of expedient pharmacotherapy. No part has been actualised yet. In contrary to that, no concept of drug policy has been published in CR; however, drug costs limits have been introduced as a part of agreements on the value of treatment units and value of the refunding of health care. In the Czech Republic, effects of such regulations have not been systematically evaluated and the systemic support of expedient pharmacotherapy (beside singular cases) has not been performed. In conclusions some pathways for possible development towards rational regulations, beneficial both for the patient, physician and administrator of public finances are suggested.

        Key words: drug policy – regulation of drug costs – drug costs limits – expedient pharmacotherapy