These indicators suggest that there is room to protect outputs by improving efficiency in the event of a further shock (although any bed cuts in rural areas ought not to compromise access to health services). Legislative changes in 2002 stimulated prescribing of generics and have improved value for money. Pharmaceuticals now account for 21.4% of total health expenditure, slightly above the EU average but well below the inflated burden of pharmaceutical spending (around 30%) that affects its Baltic neighbours (2014).