A Greek association representing laboratory physicians has raised concerns about significant weaknesses in the country’s electronic prescription system, citing a test referral that allegedly revealed a lack of effective controls and the potential for inflated healthcare costs.
According to the Panhellenic Federation of Laboratory Physicians (POERGI), the referral in question contained a series of obvious inconsistencies. A pediatrician was listed as prescribing medical tests for a female patient born in 1946 who had been diagnosed with a heart rhythm disorder.
Among the examinations included, however, was a microscopic sperm analysis test. In addition, the same laboratory test — serum immunofixation — appeared five times on the referral. The total value of the tests reached €159.18, with no mechanism preventing the order from being generated.
Test Case Created to Expose Weaknesses
POERGI said the referral was created as part of a demonstration and was later cancelled. The aim, according to the federation, was to show what can currently pass through the electronic prescribing platform without triggering warnings or restrictions.
The organization argues that the issue extends beyond the creation of unusual referrals. It claims that similar cases containing apparent inconsistencies can still be carried out and reimbursed through the healthcare system.
Concerns Over Healthcare Spending
The federation says the example highlights what it describes as a complete lack of meaningful prescription oversight. It also links the problem to the healthcare clawback mechanism, arguing that uncontrolled spending is ultimately transferred to laboratory physicians and diagnostic centers.
POERGI is calling for stricter controls at the point where prescriptions are issued and for the abolition of the clawback system. The federation maintains that every legally performed medical procedure should be fully reimbursed and that stronger safeguards are needed to prevent questionable referrals from entering the system in the first place.
