Greece Pharma Association Puts Forth 7 Pillars to Boost Sector

ATHENS, Greece – The Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies (SFEE) has put forth a proposal consisting of seven pillars to lead to a sustainable and efficient health system and pharmaceutical sector in Greece.

The framework, which was presented by SFFE President Olympios Papadimitrou and General Manager Michalis Heimonas, has been submitted to the government and Greek Prime Minister.

The seven pillars address the pharmaceutical budget, the efficiency of the health system in Greece, clawback payments, patient access to innovation, the development of and investment in the pharmaceutical industry, digital technologies, and state and industry cooperation.

SFEE believes that the budget for pharmaceuticals in Greece doesn’t correlate with reality – in that, additional funds are needed to account for the entry of new drugs, while over-prescribing needs to be addressed and cost controls must be implemented to pave the way for new drugs. Medicines are experiencing loss of patent exclusivity, which will allow for savings to be generated, too.

Similarly, SFEE is seeking reformations to the clawback system, as the mechanism merely transfers risk to pharmaceutical companies rather than offers a safety net. Mandatory discounts and refunds can act as an investment incentive, SFEE proposed, and all parties can contribute; for example, through risk-sharing agreements and more pointed calculations of overspend based on actual prices and not retail prices.

Removing obstacles and implementing “effective, dynamic, and continuous” health technology assessment (HTA) will increase equal and timely access to new medicines, boosting Greece from its position as one of the last markets in Europe to see the launch of newer products.

Greece should be invested in the pharmaceutical industry because patients benefit when there’s financial interest in the sector. SFEE wants to see increased high value and return on investment.

The use of digital technologies and integrating systems (prescriptions, tests, etc.) will not only modernize Greece’s healthcare system, but allow for the collection of more accurate and reliable data.

The seventh pillar, which appears as a general declaration on the need for enhanced collaboration, posits that the Government and industry can work in tandem to improve the system and meet social responsibility and solidarity needs.

Papadimitriou commented, “In our country, the timely implementation by the State of protection measures against COVID-19 highlighted the country, internationally, at the top of the ranking of successful management models and offered valuable time in the health system to be able to cope with the health crisis with absolute success.

“After a long financial crisis with disputed accounting measures between the victims and the Public Health system, Greece is given the opportunity to review and modernize the perception of the systemic structure of the healthcare system. This success must now be capitalized on.

“Our proposals strengthen a sustainable drug policy that creates value for all, while at the same time implementing an active and supportive policy. The pharmaceutical industry can be a strong driving force and increase the competitiveness of the Greek economy in the new productive model,” Papadimitriou concluded.