The District Governor of Attica has decided to overrule the Municipality of Athens’ decision to expand pharmacy working hours for uninterrupted operation all day and on Saturdays, in response to the reactions of pharmacist unions and bodies.
The Municipality’s decision had sparked outrage amongst pharmacists, who complained that the expanded 65-hour timetable would have a severe impact on the business of smaller pharmacies which do not have assistant employees.
With the Attica Union of Pharmacists seeking legal action against the Municipality of Athens, the Regional Governor decided to abolish the new time table “as it cannot be implemented due to lack of legitimacy”.
The controversial timetable, which required pharmacies to operate 9am to 5pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and 8am to 8pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, has been adopted by other municipalities. According to Kathimerini about 370 pharmacies had adopted the expanded timetable in Athens.
