Gilead to withdraw breast cancer drug from Greek market

Pharmaceutical company Gilead has decided to withdraw an innovative breast cancer drug from the Greek market. The decision follows disputes regarding mandatory high discounts and required rebates, which the company claims have resulted in the medication being sold below production costs.

Patients currently receiving this treatment may only have access to it for three more months. If the Greek Ministry of Health does not intervene, the drug will be removed by the end of the year. While the National Organization for Medicines (EOF) was asked to determine if the drug could be replaced by existing alternatives, no approval has been granted to reduce the discount rates.

There are concerns that health authorities may eventually be forced to import the medication from abroad through the IFET at significantly higher prices to ensure continuity for patients already undergoing therapy. This situation reflects a growing trend where pharmaceutical companies warn of withdrawing products from the Greek market due to unsustainable pricing policies.