Greece faces two‑month drug shortage for obesity patients

Nearly 71,000 Greek patients enrolled in the Recovery Fund’s “Prevention” programme receive the anti‑obesity medicines Mounjaro (semaglutide) and Wegovy (tirzepatide). The programme ends on 30 June, after which a gap will remain until national funding restarts on 1 September, leaving patients without the injections for about two months. Pharmacies have been told they can only dispense prescriptions for the drugs until the end of June, and doctors have been notified of the deadline. Those unable to afford the medication may have to stop treatment, risking weight regain and possible health complications. The cost per monthly dose ranges from €164‑225 for semaglutide and €195‑447 for tirzepatide. Some patients have received only two or three doses so far, short of the eight‑month minimum course recommended for lasting results. The Greek Pharmaceutical Association and the General Secretary of the Greek Academy of General and Family Medicine have urged authorities to expedite legislative measures needed to resume the programme, warning that interruptions could undermine the progress achieved.

The government plans to fund the drugs with national resources from September, but delays in legislation could further postpone the restart, extending the treatment gap for thousands of patients.