Greek government and pharmaceutical industry work together on solutions to benefit patients

The challenges facing the pharmaceutical healthcare system and industry, as well as the urgent need to design and implement a sustainable pharmaceutical policy framework were the subject of a joint meeting held last week at the Ministry of Health between the industry, represented by the Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies (SFEE) and the Panhellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (PEF), and the Minister of Health, Andreas Xanthos, Sotiris Bersimis, president of EOPYY (Greece’s health care insurance system), and Elias Giannoglou, vice president of EOF (Greek National Organization for Medicines).

At the meeting, the Health Minister outlined the accumulated problems and the changes that need to be made to pharmaceutical policy in the period ahead with a view to reducing expenditure and ensuring the sustainability of pharmaceutical care, primarily by controlling the volume of demand and establishing a rational pricing and reimbursement system.

The industry, for its part, pointed out the dysfunctions and problems caused by the lack of liquidity coupled with unrealistic rebate and clawback requirements. In response, Mr Xanthos confirmed the Ministry’s intention to streamline the payment of arrears to pharmaceutical companies.