Spain approves patient participation law and digital verification for medicines

The Spanish Council of Ministers approved two pivotal health measures on June 9, 2026. The first is the draft Law of Patient Organizations, which formally recognizes patient groups as key interlocutors in health governance. The law grants them access to information, participation in policy elaboration, and a permanent presence in major bodies, including eight representatives in the SNS Advisory Committee Source: ABC. It also creates a state census and a participation table for ongoing dialogue Source: El Confidencial. The second measure reforms the Royal Decree 1345/2007 to replace the paper cupón precinto system with a digital unique identifier for verifying dispensed medicines. This aims to improve safety against falsifications, enhance traceability, and reduce bureaucratic burdens, with an estimated annual saving of 80-90 million euros for pharmacies Source: El Mundo. The transition will be gradual, with both systems coexisting until full technical readiness Source: La Vanguardia. Minister Mónica García stated the reform brings a 'more secure, modern, and precise' identification system Source: El Español. Both initiatives reflect a push toward digitalization and patient-centered care.