A new government measure obliging Greek doctors to prescribe medicine to patients using the name of the active ingredient, not the brand name, is expected to increase consumption of generic drugs and, at the same time, cut health spending by an annual 150 million euros, daily Kathimerini reports quoting a press release from the Health Ministry. The change, which took effect last Monday, is set to increase the patient's rate of contribution to the cost of drugs when they don't sign up for the cheapest alternative -- in most cases a generic drug. Critics, however, say most doctors insist on prescribing the more expensive patent drugs, instead of the active ingredient. Medical spending in Greece, which imports the vast majority of its medicines, currently stands at about 300 million euros per month. Deputy Health Minister Marios Salmas last week reassured the country's 9.5 million insured that the cost-cutting measures ''will not affect the quality of medical treatment.''
GMT 18:35 2018 Thursday ,11 January
Syrian refugee sets himself ablaze at UN office in LebanonGMT 18:48 2018 Tuesday ,09 January
Novo Nordisk woos Belgian nano-drug makerGMT 17:54 2017 Wednesday ,27 December
Medical evacuations begin from besieged Syria rebel bastionGMT 12:14 2017 Monday ,25 December
MoHAP successfully conducts cochlear implant operationGMT 18:24 2017 Sunday ,24 December
Palestinian conjoined twins arrive in RiyadhGMT 19:05 2017 Monday ,18 December
new! magazine names fitness & food editorGMT 17:03 2017 Wednesday ,29 November
Spain reports case of 'mad cow disease'GMT 14:05 2017 Saturday ,11 November
EU can't agree on new licence for controversial glyphosate weedkiller
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor