Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Workmen's Compensation (Accidents) Convention, 1925 (No. 17) - Isle of Man

Articles 9 and 10 of the Convention. Cost-sharing in the cost of medicines and appliances. In its reply, the Government states that cost-sharing constitutes a contribution of the individual towards care and medical supplies and accounts only for a small proportion of the actual costs incurred. In principle, exemptions on cost-sharing should only apply to those who are not able or have a reduced ability to meet the statutory charges, including economically inactive persons or persons who suffer reduced incomes because of occupational accidents. Other exemptions to cost-sharing, which are related to specific conditions or diseases, are currently under review and could well be rationalized or removed in the future. The Government states that it would be inappropriate to seek to add any further exemptions to those currently in place until the review process has been completed. The Committee notes this information and wishes to recall that the purpose of Articles 9 and 10 of the Convention is to relieve victims of occupational accidents from bearing any costs of prescribed medicines and artificial limbs resulting from employment injury. Therefore, the Committee hopes that the Government will seize the opportunity of the current review of cost-sharing to reduce it so as at least not to cause any hardship for persons of small means who fall victims of industrial accidents. Please provide statistical information requested in Part V of the report form.