Huge rise in medicine prices in Hungary? Here’s what could cost way more from January
Hungary’s Ministry of Interior has released a draft regulation proposing a price increase for blood products from January 2026.
The planned 3–10 percent rise aims to ensure the safe and sustainable operation of the country’s blood supply system, according to the ministry’s explanation. The proposed changes would affect almost all types of blood products – from the most commonly used components to specialised preparations.
These medicines will cost more in Hungary from January 2026
According to Pénzcentrum, the price of red blood cell concentrate will rise from HUF 7319 to HUF 7640 (from EUR 18.88 to 19.70), while the washed, resuspended version will increase from HUF 10,593 to HUF 11,060 (from EUR 27.32 to 28.53). The filtered red blood cell concentrate will cost HUF 15,660 instead of 15,000 (from EUR 38.69 to 40.39), and the washed and filtered type will go up from HUF 21,000 to HUF 21,925 (from EUR 54.16 to 56.55).
Plasma products will also see a similar rise. The fresh frozen plasma price will increase from HUF 11,000 to HUF 11,485 (from EUR 28.37 to 29.62), while the cell-free version will go from HUF 12,500 to HUF 13,050 (from 32.24 to 33.66). The cryoprecipitate price will grow from HUF 10,000 to HUF 10,440 (from 25.79 to 26.93), and the fibrin glue will increase from HUF 12,215 to HUF 12,750 (from EUR 31.50 to 32.88).
There is more
The platelet products are also affected: a unit of platelet concentrate produced from whole blood will increase from HUF 5600 to HUF 5845 (from EUR 14.44 to 15.07), while the pooled, closed-system version will rise from HUF 6400 to HUF 6680 (from EUR 16.51 to 17.23). Platelet concentrates obtained through apheresis will increase from HUF 13,500 to HUF 14,095 (from EUR 34.82 to 36.35), and the medium-exchanged type will cost HUF 15,640 instead of 14,980 (from EUR 38.64 to 40.34).
Less commonly used special blood products will not be exempt either. The white blood cell concentrate from apheresis will cost HUF 7830 instead of 7500 (from 19.34 to 20.19), and the restored exchange blood preparation will rise from HUF 24,000 to HUF 25,055 (from EUR 61.90 to 64.62). The frozen red blood cell concentrate stored at –196°C will increase from HUF 25,000 to HUF 26,100 (from 64.48 to 67.31), while the filtered frozen version will cost HUF 31,320 instead of 30,000 (from 77.37 to 81.78).
Even smaller packaging units will see price hikes: a 50-millilitre filtered red blood cell preparation will go from HUF 5800 to HUF 6055 (from 14.96 to 15.62), while a similar plasma package will rise to HUF 5220 (EUR 13.46).
Some things won’t be changed, though
The draft regulation does not modify the technical rules of financing. The additional HUF 500 (EUR 1.29) fee for selected blood products, the HUF 5000 (EUR 12.90) surcharge for irradiation, and the 50 percent reimbursement for autotransfusion will remain unchanged.
According to the ministry, the price adjustment is necessary to maintain a reliable blood supply system in Hungary. However, for many patients and healthcare providers, the new pricing may represent a significant additional burden once the changes take effect in 2026.