The National Organization for Medicines (EOF) has warned that the sale of non-prescription medication, such as cough syrups, nasal sprays and anti-inflammatory medicine, in super markers will trigger a price increase for about 859 products.
While the Ministry of Health, pharmacists and EOF are all against this measure, since aside from the price increase, there are concerns about the impact on public health. On the contrary, the Ministry of Growth is in favor and intends to legislate by early February, based on an OECD report on the problems in the medicine market.
The Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association conducted a study and found that in countries where non-prescription medicine is sold in the free market, prices were almost double compared to those in Greece. An anti-inflammatory ointment on sale for 4.98 euros in Greece cost 11.90 in Italy, while a cough syrup sold for 4.93 euros in Greece costs 9.50 euros in Italy.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Health is preparing to legislate on increasing the number of non-prescription drugs, which are not subsidized by insurance funds. According to the proposal, if a product is sold as non-prescription medication in five European countries, it will automatically be reclassified as such in Greece. That way the Ministry hopes to reduce its pharmaceutical expenses.
