Reima Palonen appointed Director of the Pharmaceuticals Pricing Board for a fixed term

On Thursday 1 February 2024, the Government appointed Reima Palonen as Director of the Pharmaceuticals Pricing Board (HILA) for a fixed-term public-service relationship. The Board operates in conjunction with the Department for Insurance and Social Security at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Palonen will take up his duties as Director on 1 March 2024. The appointment will last until 31 December 2026.

Palonen has worked as a Senior Specialist at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health since March 2014. He has dealt with expert duties related to, for example, the legal affairs of the Council for Choices in Health Care in Finland (COHERE Finland). In the autumn term 2023, he also served in the role of General Secretary of the Council, with responsibility for the Council’s activities. In addition, Palonen has served as Vice-Chair of the Pharmaceuticals Pricing Board since 2019 and as an expert member of the Advisory Board on Socio-Medical Affairs of the Social Insurance Institution of Finland since 2022. Palonen holds a Master of Laws degree.

The Pharmaceuticals Pricing Board is an independent authority operating under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. It confirms the medicinal products that are reimbursable under the Finnish health insurance system, along with their reimbursement categories and reasonable wholesale prices. In addition, the Board is in charge of decision-making regarding the reference price system. The Director is responsible for the management of the Pharmaceuticals Pricing Board.

A total of ten candidates applied for the public-service relationship of Director of the Pharmaceuticals Pricing Board. 

Inquiries

Liisa Mäenpää, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 2951 63223, [email protected]