The Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC) has issued a report analyzing the implications of publicly disclosing prices for orthopedic products funded by the National Health System (SNS). This analysis was requested by the Ministry of Health due to challenges faced by certain mutual insurance companies in contacting suppliers directly.

CNMC warns that publishing sensitive commercial information, such as prices, could heighten the risk of collusion among operators, leading to reduced competition and increased prices, which would adversely affect users, the SNS, and the mutual insurance companies themselves.

To mitigate these risks, the CNMC recommends exploring less harmful alternatives to price publication, ensuring that mutual insurance companies can access necessary data through collaboration with regional governments and the Ministry of Health, and advancing digitalization and interoperability among existing public systems and suppliers.

Beyond the specific issue of price publication, the CNMC also suggests reviewing key aspects of the funding system for these products, including improving the methodology for updating the catalog, establishing Maximum Financing Amounts (IMF), and setting offer prices. Additionally, it recommends revising the access regime for operators and shortening processing times to expedite procedures.