This article will teach you everything you need to know about pharmacies in Greece.
When traveling abroad, it can be difficult and critical to obtain even a single drug. When jet lag and diseases strike, it is critical that we get the medicine we require as soon as possible. This article, on the other hand, will serve as a guide for you to purchase pharmacy products that are not available in our country.
About Pharmacies in Greece
When a doctor prescribes a medication, you want it as soon as possible, whether it’s during the day, at night, during the week, or on a holiday.
People want to know where and how they may get an urgently needed drug as soon as possible, especially when it comes to an acute health crisis.
Where does the data come from? It is not easy to keep precise data on all pharmacies in Greece at all times.
Also read: Pharmacies in Germany
How to Find the Nearest Pharmacy in Greece?
You can ask for the nearest pharmacy in Greece by saying:
Πού είναι το πλησιέστερο φαρμακείο;
(Poú eínai to plisiéstero farmakeío?)
You can also write the word “χημικός” which means pharmacy on Google maps.
Another easy way of finding a pharmacies in Greece is to use the pharmacy finder app.
You can download the app from here for IOS and here for Android.
- Monday: 08: 00-14: 30
- Tuesday: 08: 00-14: 00 & 17: 00-20: 00 (winter) or 17: 30-20: 30 (summer)
- Wednesday: 08: 00-14: 30
- Thursday: 08: 00-14: 00 & 17: 00-20: 00 (winter) or 17: 30-20: 30 (summer)
- Friday: 08: 00-14: 00 & 17: 00-20: 00 (winter) or 17: 30-20: 30 (summer)
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed.
On Duty Pharmacies in Greece
After entering the city, region and day option, you can easily find the pharmacy on duty from here.
Prices of Drugs in Greece
Pharmaceutical companies in Greece are unable to set their own medicinal product prices because these are set by the state, which publishes a medicinal product pricing bulletin. Indeed, not only is the price of the medicinal product set, but so are the profit margins at each level of distribution, i.e. wholesalers and pharmacies.
The provisions governing the pricing of pharmaceutical products have changed numerous times in recent years and have been challenged in administrative courts as being unconstitutional. The Council of State agreed that any established medicinal product costing and verification criteria – which set the maximum sale price – must result in the calculation of the medicinal product manufacturing and marketing costs, which are then multiplied by the profit margin set by the pricing control.
Pricing takes into account whether the medicinal product is subject to a data protection regime or has expired from one, as well as whether it is original or generic, hybrid, biological, biosimilar, orphan, medicinal product for a well-established medicinal use, or a consistent combination of medicinal products, according to the currently effective Ministerial Decision.
The current Ministerial Decision on Medicinal Product Pricing establishes the maximum ex-factory price (the price at which medicinal products are sold to wholesalers by Marketing Authorisation Holders), which is based on the maximum wholesale price, reduced by i. 4.67 percent for reimburseable medicinal products priced up to €200.00, 1.48 percent for reimburseable medicinal products priced at or above €200.01, and 5.12 percent for non-reimbursable medicinal products.
The maximum wholesale price of pharmaceuticals is the price at which they are sold to pharmacies. The wholesale authorization holder’s gross profit percentage is included in this price, which is calculated as a percentage of the maximum net ex-factory price.
The maximum retail price is the price at which pharmacies sell pharmaceuticals to customers. It is calculated by multiplying the maximum wholesale price by the pharmacy’s legal profit, as specified in Article 5 of the aforementioned Ministerial Decision, and then adding the VAT (VAT).
Requirements to Open A Pharmacy in Greece
Legislative Framework
In Greece the establishment and operation of a pharmacy is governed mainly by the provisions of N. 5607/1932, Law 1963/1991 and Law 328/1976. Relevant are the provisions of the recent Law 3918/2011 (article 36),
Characteristic of the legislation concerning the operation of pharmacies and the practice of pharmacist in Greece is their uncodified form, as various relevant provisions are abandoned in different legislation over time.
Pharmacy Establishment License
The license to establish a pharmacy is granted, after the opinion of the relevant Pharmaceutical Association, by decision of the competent Prefect, In order to obtain the above license the applicant must meet specific conditions, as defined in Article 1 par. 2 N.1963/1991 –
- Greek citizenship or nationality of one of the Member States of the E.O.K.
- A degree in pharmaceutical school and a license to practice pharmacy in Greece;
- Fulfillment of military obligations or legal exemption from them;
- Irrevocable conviction to any penalty for theft, embezzlement, fraud, extortion, forgery, crimes against morals, defamation for acts related to the practice of the pharmaceutical profession, counterfeiting, counterfeiting, and other crimes.
According to article 8 Law 5607/1932, the same pharmacist is not authorized to establish or manage more than one pharmacy.
Pharmacist in Greece
Pharmacists store, maintain, manufacture and distribute medicinal products and advise on the correct use and adverse effects of medicines on prescriptions administered by physicians and other health professionals. Contribute to research, testing, preparation, prescribing and monitoring medical treatments to optimize human health.
When Should You Go to a Pharmacist in Greece?
In the case of less serious illnesses, the pharmacy can assist with a wide range of issues, from OTC and supplements to medical supplies to dermocosmetics and mother-baby goods.
You can get your prescribed medication at pharmacies.
Pharmacies are a great place to get advice on medical or cosmetic issues.
What is Sold in Pharmacies in Greece?
Medical Equipment
It is possible to find a wide variety of medical supplies such as wheelchairs, crutches, oximeters, surgical equipment, and bandages. In addition, products to help manage certain diseases such as diabetic test strips, blood pressure monitors and nebulizers are available from pharmacies.
Supplements
Sometimes you can find the necessary supplements to treat diseases and sometimes to maintain a healthy life. Also, people who exercise or people who want to eat better usually prefer protein etc. You can also find products in pharmacies.
Non-Prescription Medicines, OTC
There are a variety of over-the-counter medications that can be used when medicine is needed for simpler conditions such as the common cold or bloating. You can ask your pharmacist for the product you need or tell your symptoms and complaints to learn and buy the product that is suitable for you.
In Greece, over-the-counter drugs are decided based on the following:
- Make sure their use is safe
- Reducing health risks for Greeks
Identification of Over-the-Counter Drugs
Over-the-counter medicines must have a Drug Identification Number (DIN) to be sold in Greece. This number on a product label indicates that the drug complies with the following needs:
- Safety
- Quality
- Productivity
The label lists the ingredients of the drug. Thus, when a user is concerned about the above substances and content of the drug, they can easily control it.
Prescription Drugs
You can get your medicines from pharmacies when your doctor gives you a prescription for a certain type of medicine.
As with the sale and distribution of drugs, the prescribing of prescription drugs is a process that is governed by provincial legislation in Greece. Being able to prescribe prescription drugs is an action that only certain people can take. Medicines are usually prescribed by medical doctors and dentists.
Items Prohibited for Sale in Pharmacies in Greece
- Selling prescription drugs without a prescription
- Counterfeit drugs
- Expired drugs
- Medicines found to be improperly manufactured or contaminated
Do You Need a Prescription to Buy Medicines from Pharmacies in Greece?
In Greece, only antibiotics are prescribed, along with controlled medicines. All other medicines can be obtained from pharmacies without a prescription.
Is a prescription written in Greece valid in EU countries? / Is a prescription written in EU countries valid in Greece?
There is no specific form that medical prescriptions must have to be used in other EU countries. In most cases, anyway the recipe you would use in your country will contain sufficient information to use it in another EU country.
- It must contain at least the following information:
- Patient details: full name (in words) and date of birth
- Date of issuance of the recipe
- Details of the attending physician: full name (in writing), professional title, direct contact details, address of work (including country) and signature (handwritten or digital)
- Elements of the prescription drug: common name (rather than trade name, which may be different in other countries), form (tablet, solution, etc.), quantity, content and dosage.
If you feel that you will need to use the prescription abroad, or if the prescription has been written abroad and you need to use it in your country, make sure that the doctor has included all these items. Thus, you can be sure that the pharmacist in another EU country will be able to easily understand the prescription, medicine and dosage indicated.
Warning
Medical prescriptions are subject to the rules of the country in which they are administered. This means that the pharmacist will apply national drug administration rules — for example, the daily dosage may vary.
Chain Pharmacy in Greece
Greece has a chain pharmacy system.
Online Pharmacy in Greece
Online pharmacy service is provided in the Greece. The important thing in this regard is that you confirm that the person you are in contact with is really a pharmacy employee for your safety.
Here are some of the most popular online pharmacies: Family Pharmacy Greece , Pharmacy 24 Greece (Pharm 24 Greece is a online pharmacy Thessaloniki ), Pharmacy295 (online pharmacy Athens Greece) , Pharmacy 365 Greece