As part of efforts to ensure the public is not misinformed about health issues, Greece’s National Public Health Organization (EODY) will establish a new unit dedicated to identifying and combating fake news about health-related issues, Deputy Health Minister Eirini Agapidaki announced this week.

Speaking at a Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association conference titled “Vaccines: Safety, Innovation & Economic Surplus in the Public Health System”, Agapidaki emphasized the urgent need to address the growing problem of misinformation surrounding vaccines and preventive health measures.

The new EODY unit will identify, evaluate, and scientifically refute false claims circulating about health, vaccines, and public health interventions.

Additionally, EODY will also issue a weekly bulletin on fake news, which will accompany its public health report.

This bulletin will be made available to health professionals, journalists, pharmacists, doctors, and citizens, providing verified information and documented responses to counter false claims. The initiative, EODY authorities say, aims to promote transparency, protect public discourse, and strengthen citizens’ health literacy.

“According to the World Health Organization, we are experiencing a new pandemic, the pandemic of fake news,” said Agapidaki. “The world is tired, often confused, and has difficulty distinguishing truth from false information. It is our duty to restore trust in science and support citizens with reliable information.”

The minister went on to highlight the importance of improving health literacy, which she said was a skill for navigating modern health information.

“Health literacy is not just knowledge; it’s a skill, the ability to understand, evaluate, and use health information to improve our lives,” she said. “This requires trust, relationships, and continuous education, and in this, pharmacists have a crucial role to play.”