Drugs shortages prompt online monitoring scheme
The National Organization for Medicines (EOF) and the Health Ministry are due to set up an online system to monitor the sale of drugs following numerous complaints about shortages in basic medicines, including insulin and blood pressure pills.
Deputy Health Minister Marios Salmas announced the initiative on Tuesday after a meeting with EOF representatives, who informed him that the organization has received complaints of shortages in about 30 drugs. EOF added that only in the cases of two drugs did pharmaceutical companies notify that they would be reducing distribution.
As of Monday, the Panhellenic Pharmacists’ Association will pass on details of shortages to EOF, which will check these against details of sales and exports of medicines provided by pharmaceutical companies. EOF will then inform doctors via e-mail about shortages so they can issue prescriptions for medicines that are still readily available.
