Drug shortages continue to exist in the Greek market and the Ministry of Health and the National Medicines Agency (NEMO) are focusing on four main measures that cover the entire supply chain to address the shortages and defend the protection of Public Health and Greek patients .

The EOF explains that the lack is considered to be the inability to meet the needs at the level of active substance and not formulation, as the substance can be provided through alternative generic formulations. In cases where alternative formulations are available, coverage of needs with generic drugs is encouraged.

The four meters

The ban on exports, states the EOF, is a measure that is applied temporarily and selectively with the aim of securing the needs of patients with medicines that are exported to other countries and therefore become elusive or difficult to find for the Greek patient.

According to the Organization, “it was decided that the pharmaceutical companies will significantly increase the quantities of drugs circulating in the Greek market in the next period of time, which is also their obligation”.

Pharmacies are obliged to declare their sales and stocks of elliptical medicines in real time, so that the assessment of the phenomenon and the finding of solutions are immediately available. For this reason, EOF emphasizes, a special platform was developed which will be put into operation within the week.

Finally, by decision of the Ministry of Health, the administration of medicines that are in short supply or limited availability will be made by pharmacies to patients only if they have been prescribed electronically based on the indications and by the medical specialties provided.

Any shortage or difficulty in finding medicine must be reported by pharmacists and doctors on the EOF platform, so that it can be taken care of immediately.