The availability of medicines in general

The Greek system provides for different levels of participation in patients to the cost of medicines. As a general rule, patients should pay 25% of medicines prescribed by a doctor. Nevertheless, for certain diseases such as Parkinson’s disease or Crohn’s disease, this contribution by patients is lowered to 10%. Similarly, the contribution is reduced to 10% for retired persons receiving the minimum pension.

Finally, for certain chronic conditions such as cancer or diabetes, medicines are fully covered. The same is true for medicines during pregnancy or for medicines necessary for employment accidents. [1]

The availability of Alzheimer treatments

All four anti-dementia drugs are available to patients in Greece and are part of the reimbursement system.

Greece requires the initial treatment decision to be taken by a neurologist or psychiatrist, but does not have any restrictions for continuing treatment decisions which can be made by any practitioner. Also, Greece does not require any specific diagnostic examinations to be carried out, nor does the system provide upper or lower treatment limits.

Finally, the Greek system reimburses medicines for people living alone or in nursing homes.

[1] European Commission (2006): MISSOC – Mutual information system on social protection : Social protection in the Member States of the European Union, of the European Economic Area and in Switzerland : Comparative tables