Greece High-Cost Medications Now Available at Private Pharmacies

Greece has launched a major reform allowing patients to obtain high-cost medications (HCMs) from private pharmacies instead of relying solely on public EOPYY facilities. The initiative, rolled out by the National Organization for Health Care Services Provision (EOPYY), officially started on February 5, 2026, and initially focuses on treatments for cancer and multiple sclerosis.

The change aims to significantly improve patient convenience, eliminate long waiting lines at public pharmacies, and make access to these specialized drugs much easier across the country.

Key Improvements and Projections

In the program's first phase, private pharmacies are expected to handle around 20,000 prescriptions per month—a dramatic increase from the previous limit of just 1,500 per month at EOPYY pharmacies. During February 2026, roughly 23,000 prescriptions will be processed through the new system, with plans to scale up to 66,000 prescriptions per month by the end of the first quarter.

The rollout followed the signing of a collective agreement between EOPYY and the Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association, attended by Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis.

Benefits for Patients and Pharmacists

Minister Georgiadis emphasized that patients can now select their preferred private pharmacy, gaining greater flexibility and access to professional pharmacist advice on the safe and correct use of these complex medications.

“This program finally addresses the chronic problem of overcrowding at EOPYY pharmacies,” Georgiadis stated. “It also strengthens the vital role of pharmacists as key healthcare providers, offering expert guidance for proper medication administration.”

Theano Karpodini, Head of EOPYY, noted that the initiative—developed over more than two years in close collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Association—greatly expands nationwide access to high-cost treatments.

How the System Works

• Participating pharmacies must register and become certified through EOPYY’s dedicated platform.
• They are required to dispense medications during standard operating hours.
• Patients receive electronic notification once their prescription is approved and can then choose their desired pharmacy.
• Medications are delivered to pharmacies via certified distributors, maintaining full compliance (including cold-chain requirements for sensitive drugs).
• Pharmacists verify patient identity upon pickup and can refuse dispensing if any issues arise.

Compensation for Pharmacists

Private pharmacists receive a professional fee of €20 per prescription (plus applicable taxes) for handling these high-cost medications. Payments follow the terms set out in the collective agreement with the Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association.

This reform represents a significant step toward modernizing Greece’s healthcare delivery for patients requiring expensive, specialized treatments, while leveraging the widespread network of private pharmacies to reduce bottlenecks and enhance overall service quality.