The prices of 461 medicines on the Greek market are increasing. According to applications submitted to the EOF by pharmaceutical companies and pharmaceutical industries, originals and generics whose prices are extremely low will increase: e.g. medicines for blood diseases and nutrition that reach consumers at 1.42 euros will increase to 1.65 euros. However, price increases were proposed for medicines priced above 200 euros and even above 1,000 euros. The list was published on the EOF website and is available for consultation until June 28th.
Withdrawal of generics from India
At the same time, the EMA announced the withdrawal of hundreds of generics produced in India because they were based on unreliable bioequivalence studies. Speaking to SKAI, Professor of Epidemiology Theodora Psaltopoulou explained that there are around 400 copies of medicines and that in Greece there are only 35 generics. Patients receiving specific generics must be informed by the EOF, she said, adding that there are questions about the specific company.
More than 1 billion for the National Cancer Fund
The creation of a National Cancer Fund fell on the “table” of proposals at a conference organized by the biopharmaceutical company BMS, the Institute of Health Economics, EOPE, ELLOK and SFEE, with the assistant professor of Home and Legal Health at the University of Attica Occidental, Costas Athanasakis, to highlight that 8% of total health expenditure in our country relates to cancer management.
This amount amounts to 1.35 billion euros, when in most EU countries it reaches 9% with 9.5%. In his opinion, we can achieve the reinforcement of cancer care through the creation of a National Cancer Fund, which will start with a budget of 1.4 billion euros, an amount that could be achieved with the help of new financing instruments, such as health taxes. and taxes on products harmful to health.