The information was provided by Etienne Schneider, the health minister (LSAP), and Romain Schneider, the social security minister (LSAP), in a response to a parliamentary question submitted by the MP Carole Hartmann (DP).

In July, the French government said it would reduce social security reimbursements for homeopathic drugs starting next year and end coverage entirely in 2021, per France 24 and Reuters. A French health board questioned the effectiveness of the remedies, which cost €127m in 2018.

Hartmann had asked if Luxembourg’s government would follow suit. Schneider and Schneider wrote on 22 August:

“The competent Luxembourg authorities continually monitor the medical notices issued and the decisions taken by European and international authorities. However, Luxembourg does not envision following the measures taken in this matter by the French authorities, namely to end payment for certain homeopathic medications by the health and maternity insurer.”

Luxembourg’s health system currently reimburses 80% of the cost of homeopathic drugs on its authorised medicines list.

The public health system spent €52,398 on homeopathic medicine for 7,859 patients in 2018, the ministers stated. For the five years ending in 2018, the state insurer spent €285,565.55 for 27,201 patients.