In Greece, only one in five new medicines approved by the European Medicines Agency is accessible to patients, highlighting a significant healthcare gap. This limited access means that many patients with serious conditions, such as cancer or rare diseases, may not receive the most effective treatments available.
The lengthy wait times for new medicines, averaging nearly 21 months, further exacerbate the issue. In contrast, countries like Germany manage to provide access in just over five months. This disparity raises concerns about the overall effectiveness of Greece’s healthcare system and its ability to meet patient needs.
Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly hesitant to launch new products in Greece, citing high costs and regulatory hurdles as major deterrents. As a result, many innovative treatments may never reach the Greek market, leaving patients with fewer options.
The legacy of past financial crises continues to impact healthcare decisions, with strict spending measures in place that restrict access to new therapies. Without a clear strategy to improve the situation, the gap in access to essential medicines is likely to widen, affecting the health outcomes of countless individuals in Greece.
Source: Euronews
