A recent study by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) sheds light on the significant delays Greek patients face in accessing innovative therapies.
According to the latest W.A.I.T. Indicator Survey, conducted annually across 36 European countries, patients in Greece wait an average of 22 months to access newly approved treatments by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
This waiting period is substantially longer than the European average of 19 months, highlighting a critical disparity in the availability of life-saving medications.
Additionally, less than half of the new medicines approved between 2020 and 2023 have become available to Greek patients, underlining a concerning gap in the healthcare system.
Limited Availability of New Treatments
The EFPIA study examined the distribution of 173 innovative drugs that received EMA approval between 2019 and 2022. On average, around 80 of these medicines were accessible in European countries included in the research, representing an average availability rate of 46% across the continent in 2023—50% for oncology treatments and 42% for orphan drugs.
In contrast, Greece’s availability rate for these therapies stands at just 43%, trailing behind the European average.
Of the 173 newly launched drugs, only 75 are currently accessible in Greece. When broken down by category, 59% of oncology treatments and 36% of orphan drugs are available, signifying limited access for patients with severe conditions.
Barriers in Reimbursement
Beyond limited availability, the study also highlights significant obstacles in reimbursement processes. Approximately 41% of the innovative therapies that are available in Greece are under restricted availability or reimbursement status—55% of oncology drugs and 21% of orphan drugs. These treatments are primarily distributed through the Electronic Pre-Approval System (ΣΗΠ), reflecting structural inefficiencies in the Greek healthcare reimbursement framework.
Inequities in Access to New Therapies
The report underscores notable inequities in patients’ access to new therapies in Greece. The current system, burdened by administrative hurdles, does not guarantee universal access to innovative treatments. Availability largely depends on the discretion of prescribing physicians and the therapeutic categories of patients.
Delays in Reimbursement Timeline
Greece also falls behind in reimbursing new therapies, taking an average of 689 days—well above the EU average of 518 days. Experts blame the delays on prolonged negotiations by pharmaceutical companies, driven by heavy financial burdens.
