EU refers Romania to court over systemic pharmacy payment delays
The European Commission has referred Romania to the Court of Justice of the EU, alleging that the national health insurer consistently failed to pay pharmacies within the 60-day legal deadline. CNAS says its payments are now current and the case reflects a historical situation.
The referral
On 8 July 2026, the European Commission decided to refer Romania to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJUE) over what it calls "systemic and persistent" delays in payments to pharmacies by the National Health Insurance House (CNAS). The Commission argues that Romania has violated Directive 2011/7/EU, which requires public healthcare entities to settle commercial transactions within 60 calendar days.
CNAS has consistently exceeded this deadline when making payments to pharmacies that supply medicines to patients. By failing to ensure that CNAS makes payments within the prescribed period, Romania has breached its obligations under the directive.
CNAS response
CNAS issued a statement the same day, insisting that its medicine payments are now up to date. The institution confirmed that all claims for March consumption have been fully paid, and it holds funds for approximately 63% of April's consumption, roughly 1.5 billion lei. The remaining 827 million lei has been requested from the Ministry of Finance, with the aim of settling April's obligations by the end of July.
As of 8 July 2026, CNAS is up to date with medicine payments. All medicines for March consumption have been fully paid, and April consumption must be paid by the end of July. We currently have funds for about 63% of April consumption. For the difference of approximately 827 million lei, the institution has taken all necessary steps with the Ministry of Finance so that this sum is made available by month-end, allowing full and timely payment to pharmacies.
CNAS stressed that the European procedure originates from a complaint filed in April 2024 by a group of pharmacies over past delays, and does not reflect the current payment situation. Between October 2025 and April 2026, the institution says it eliminated historical arrears and made payments within the legal term, even prepaying about 16% of January 2026 obligations in December 2025.
Background of the dispute
The infringement procedure began in April 2024 with a letter of formal notice, followed by a reasoned opinion in February 2025 and an additional reasoned opinion in January 2026. The Commission deemed the measures taken by Romanian authorities insufficient, prompting the referral to the CJUE. According to data communicated by Romanian authorities, pharmacies are paid on average 62 to 79 days beyond the 60-day legal deadline.
- Commission sends letter of formal notice to Romania
- Commission issues reasoned opinion
- Commission issues additional reasoned opinion
- Commission refers Romania to the Court of Justice of the EU
Impact on pharmacies and the single market
The Commission warned that late payments weaken supply chains, hinder business growth and competitiveness, and limit the capacity to innovate. Pharmacies in Romania pre-finance medicine purchases from manufacturers, ensuring patients have timely access to treatments. The Commission views public-sector payment delays as a major obstacle to single market competitiveness and has prioritised enforcement in this area as part of its broader regulatory simplification agenda.
Payment delays weaken supply chains, impede business growth and competitiveness, and affect their ability to innovate and develop.
The procedure was triggered by complaints from associations representing over 500 independent pharmacies. Average monthly medicine consumption in Romania stands at about 2.4 billion lei, accounting for 40% of total monthly expenses of the National Single Health Insurance Fund, excluding sick leave and health benefits.
