Greece faces funding challenges for obesity and prevention programs

Greece is facing challenges in sustaining its obesity prevention and screening programs following the expiration of Recovery and Resilience Facility funding. The cost for the free provision of obesity medications during the first half of the year has exceeded 50 million euros. A ministerial decision has been signed to transfer 51.2 million euros from the National Central Authority for Health Procurement (EKAPY) to IDYKA to reimburse private pharmacies.

However, the continuity of the obesity program is uncertain. The EOPYY Negotiation Committee is set to meet with the two pharmaceutical companies that supply these medications to negotiate prices. There are concerns regarding the companies' willingness to accept discounts or participate in clawback and rebate schemes required for the program to continue using national resources.

Simultaneously, medical staff at Health Centers remain unpaid for services provided under the ‘Prolamvano’ preventive screening program. The Athens Medical Association has reported that doctors, including specialists in pathology and endocrinology, have not received compensation for services rendered throughout the year. While the program was previously funded by the Recovery Fund, the transition to national funding has led to delays in reimbursing both public and private medical professionals.