"We will not sell drugs in supermarkets"

Minister of Health, Andreas Loverdos, reiterated his commitment to the notion that only qualified or entitled pharmacists will be able to procure a pharmacy license under the new measures of the liberalization of the profession.

“I publicly confirm that anyone that is not a licensed or qualified pharmacist cannot open a pharmacy. I categorically deny the allegation that supermarkets will enter the field of medicine”, stated Mr. Loverdos, adding that: “if pharmacists will insist on closing their pharmacies after the submission of the bill in Parliament, then their issue is not this particular adjustment, but the liberalization of the profession itself”.

The Health Minister also claimed that “Since day one, I could have requested that a law be passed that 20% of all pharmacies stay open in each region. I could have instigated a judicial process to open the pharmacies, but I will not resort to that. I ask them to settle down, and to reduce their reactions”. He also argued that the liberalization package could contain much harsher measures.

Pharmacists continue their strikes.
Pharmacists in Athens are repeating their three-day strike, which begins on Wednesday and will last until Friday. The pharmacists announced that beginning Monday 1st of February, they are going to cease administering medicines on credit to members of four funds (TSAY, ISAP, Cahsier Lawyers and Notaries).

In Piraeus, the “padlock” in pharmacies has been in place since the beginning of the week. However, Piraeus public hospital pharmacies have “opened up”. Specifically, the General State Hospital of Nikaia, “Tzaneio”, “Metaxa” and “Aghia Varvara” will supply 89 expensive drugs to the chronically ill and those in need who are affiliated to theOPAD, TSAY, TAS, DEI and ISAP funds.

In addition, as announced by the Health Ministry, the “Home Assistance Program” has been enabled, to provide medical coverage to the needy and severely ill.