Greece obesity drug program suspension leaves pharmacists unpaid

The Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association (PFS) has raised alarms regarding the suspension of a Greek Ministry of Health program for obesity medications. The program, which provided innovative treatments and lifestyle counseling to approximately 45,000 citizens, was halted following its removal from the European Recovery and Resilience Facility funding.

As a result of the suspension, pharmacists are reportedly owed nearly 14 million euros for medications distributed during May and June. The PFS noted that pharmacies have already covered these costs by paying wholesalers and suppliers. While a legislative regulation was passed in August to allow repayment via the National Central Authority for Health Procurement (EKAΠΥ), the process is stalled pending a joint ministerial decision from the Ministries of Health and Finance.

The PFS emphasized that the issue is not merely financial but also a significant health and social concern, as thousands of patients have been abruptly unable to continue their prescribed treatments.