Medicines: rising costs for citizens

A study by the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research and the Association of Greek Pharmaceutical Companies highlights a significant increase in private spending on prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

In 2023, citizens had to “dig deeper into their pockets” by paying a total of 1.812 billion euros, of which 734 million were paid for medicines, the cost of which is reimbursed EOPYY and 1.078 billion euros for drugs, cost which are not reimbursed by EOPYY or patients decided to purchase them privately.

Of the 1.078 billion euros paid by patients for the medicines they needed, 391 million were for Non-Rescription Medicines (drugs available without a prescription) and 130 million were for drugs from a special “list” (the cost of which is not reimbursed). In addition, 557 million euros concern prescription drugs that patients chose to pay for themselvesThese are medications that cost an average of 7 euros, and a visit to the doctor for a prescription costs 10 euros.

Demographic trends
The population's needs for health care and medicines continue to be affected by demographic trends and phenomena, such as the negative natural balance (birth-death), in which the population is decreasing by 64 thousand people (2022), which leads to a gradual decrease in the total population.

At the same time, high life expectancy (81.6 years by 2023) combined with an increase in the proportion of the oldest population (over 65 and 80 years old) from 22.9% of the total population in 2023 to 32.8% by 2070 (and from 7.3% to 15.3%, respectively) predict a deterioration and more intense pressure on health care and insurance systems.

In terms of healthcare spending, total funding in Greece fell by 22.2% between 2009 and 2022. Public spending reached €2.7 billion in 2022, with a further slight increase forecast for 2023 to reach €2.8 billion. The share of pharmaceutical spending in the sector increased to €2.9 billion in 2022, compared to €2.4 billion in 2021.

By 2023, the pharmaceutical industry's involvement is estimated to increase further, reaching €3.5 billion, while patient involvement will also increase, estimated to reach €734 million respectively.

According to the study, mLess pharmaceutical innovation reaches Greek patients: Of the 167 new drugs approved in the period 2019–2022, only 79 (47%) were introduced in Greece, while only 43 of them are currently widely available on the Greek market.

Increasing the number of drugs
We remind you that the increase in 850 widely used drugs is provided for by the relevant by a decision of the ministry that came into force on August 26. In most cases, the increase ranges from 1 to 5 euros, with Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis stating that the increase concerns “various cheap drugs” and that “it is a price adjustment.” Notably, according to the Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association, based on a list published by EOF:

• for 445 drugs the increase will be up to 99 cents,
• for 152 – from 1 to 1.99 euros,
• for 90 – from 2 to 2.99 euros,
• for 50 – from 3 to 3.99 euros,
• for 59 drugs from 4 to 4.99 euros.

As reported by the newspaper “Ta Nea”, Insured persons will have to pay a total of approximately 30 million euros moresince the revaluation of drugs also leads to an increase in their share of financial participation.

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