Norway approves public reimbursement for off-label generic ketamine in treatment-resistant depression

Norway approved national reimbursement for the off-label use of generic ketamine for treatment-resistant depression. The decision was made by Norway’s new medicines regulator, the Decision-Making Forum for New Methods (Beslutningsforum), following an earlier health technology assessment for intravenous ketamine in treatment-resistant depression. The approval makes ketamine eligible for use in the public specialist health service immediately, including outpatient treatment, so eligible patients across Norway can access IV ketamine regardless of where they live. Norway is framed as the first country to reimburse generic ketamine for treatment-resistant depression at the national level.