Stalemate continues with pharmacists
A meeting between the head of the Greek pharmacists’ union, Theodoros Ambazoglou, and representatives from the National Organization for Healthcare Provision (EOPYY), the country’s largest heath insurer, ended in a stalemate on Tuesday as pharmacists continued to strike and said that they will be holding a meeting on December 1 to decide on further action.
Pharmacists were on a two-day strike on Monday and Tuesday, and said that they will continue to refuse dispensing medicines on credit to patients insured with EOPPY unless the organization offers a deal ensuring the prompt payment of its contribution to the cost of prescription drugs.
Speaking on behalf of Athens pharmacists, Constantinos Loourantos said that his union is also exploring the possibility of filing a complaint with the Council of State, the country’s highest administrative court, to challenge rebates to EOPYY and other insurers as being unconstitutional. The recent legislative act requires them to pay a rebate to insurance funds that will cost pharmacists between 5,000 and 50,000 euros.
Pharmacists are demanding the abolition of the rebate act, the full payment of all arrears, a regular payment scheme to be effective immediately and further funding for EOPYY so it is able to better meet its commitments.
