Posted on 02/28/2013 7:52:34 AM PST by blam
Panic In Greek Pharmacies As Hundreds Of Medicines Run Short
Elizabeth Sukkar and Helena Smith, The Guardian
February 28, 2013
Greece is facing a serious shortage of medicines amid claims that pharmaceutical multinationals have halted shipments to the country because of the economic crisis and concerns that the drugs will be exported by middlemen because prices are higher in other European countries.
Hundreds of drugs are in short supply and the situation is getting worse, according to the Greek drug regulator. The government has drawn up a list of more than 50 pharmaceutical companies it accuses of halting or planning to halt supplies because of low prices in the country.
More than 200 medicinal products are affected, including treatments for arthritis, hepatitis C and hypertension, cholesterol-lowering agents, antipsychotics, antibiotics, anaesthetics and immunomodulators used to treat bowel disease.
Separately, it was announced on Tuesday that the Swiss Red Cross was slashing its supply of donor blood to Greece because it had not paid its bills on time.
Chemists in Athens describe chaotic scenes with desperate customers going from pharmacy to pharmacy to look for prescription drugs that hospitals could no longer dispense.
The government list includes some of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, such as Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca. Pfizer, Roche and Sanofi all said a few products had been withheld. GSK and AstraZeneca denied the claims.
"Companies are ceasing these supplies because Greece is not profitable for them and they are worried that their products will be exported by traders to other richer countries through parallel trade as Greece has the lowest medicine prices in Europe," said Professor Yannis Tountas, the president of the Greek drug regulator, the National Organisation for Medicines.
(snip)
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
The real issue is that the pharma companies are concerned about getting paid for what they've shipped.
If you are willing to pay cash, up front, full price, you will get all the medicines you want.
it didn’t...
watch the breakdown in greece. learn from it. it’s on the way here.
And the first person who says you can’t have that medicine or operation had better have a boatload of life insurance.
I know the leftist/sheeperal view of this, though -
better that it’s not available to anyone than
only to “the rich” (ie, middle class).
They actually believe that.
They’ll definitely keep the decision makers anonymous.
Leftists LOVE the idea of unaccountable power,
so they’ll make sure you can’t hold them responsible.
I suspect drugs aren’t being shipped to Greece because there’s concern the money will be worthless soon - or that the companies won’t get paid.
I fear you're right.
Although wrestling was removed from the Olympics, it should be fairly common in Greece.
You ok, K-K-Kartographer?
Didn’t the State of Illinois have that same problem? It went away when they paid the bills
They should stop complaining. They may not have any medication, but it’s free.
better that it’s not available to anyone than only to “the rich” (ie, middle class).
They actually believe that.
True, dat.
Until it's them.
Any good reading material on substitutes on popular meds for BP or pain etc
I have GOT TO hit up the farm supply and pick up a pound or two of goodies!
Of possible interest. We have used this company with great success and significantly lower prices on some things. They mail a 90 day supply if your prescription is written for it. Usually manufacturers of the medication are in India. We've had no problems at all. Note that not all medications are available such as Schedule II's....and some meds are just as cheap at the local WalMart. But for some meds, it's a big savings.
FWIW
It’s beginning to look like the Greeks are all gonna die!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.