Greece's financial crisis dries up drug supply

Original article by: E Karamanoli

Reference: Lancet 28 Feb 2012;379(9813):302

Source: Lancet

Keywords: Drug Costs; Drug Industry; Drug Supply-Wholesale; Economics; Government; Greece; Parallel Imports; Pharmacy Services-Community; Pharmacy Services-Hospital; Price Regulation;

Date published: 01/02/2012 08:04

Summary
by: Pharm-line

News feature examining the effects of the Greek government's response to the economic crisis on the supply of medicines.  In 2011, the government mandated cuts in prices of drugs, which has resulted in some international pharmaceutical companies being reluctant to supply the country, and to the development of a secondary market, as some wholesalers prefer to re-export products at higher prices.  There have also been severe delays in payments by the social security system to community pharmacists for medicines supplied, which have resulted in many pharmacies only serving customers who pay in cash.  Hospital pharmacies are being supplied primarily with generic drugs.

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