The government has decided upon the changes in the ownership of pharmacies. According to the Joint Ministerial Decisions – signed by the Ministers of Finances, Growth, Tourism and Health – non-pharmacists will be able to open pharmacies, provided that a qualified pharmacist must has at least a 20% stake in a pharmacy. The pharmacists in turn demanded at least 51%.
According to the JMD, pharmacies established by non-pharmacists will operate as limited liability companies and will be required to have a pharmacist as a partner, who will own at least 20% of the business. These pharmacies must also appoint a supervisor pharmacist in order to operate.
The Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association (PFS) has rejected the ministerial decisions and announce that it will appeal to Greek and European courts. In a statement it noted that the bailouts and financial crisis are used as an excuse to ruin the country. The association has also called a general meeting on Saturday to discuss their sector’s strategic goals.
Earlier in the week the pharmacists called rolling 24-hour strikes over the proposed changes in their sector, which they decided to suspend on Thursday and Friday.
