Pharmacists call Health Ministry΄s list of alternative medicines a "joke"
pharmacists
11 Jan 2023
/ 12:24
CORFU. "Those who made up the list are out of touch with the market as a lot of them have been discontinued."
"The list of medicines in short supply and the alternatives in the market published by the Ministry of Health can only be taken as a joke," said Corfu Pharmaceutical Association President Pericles Rarakos in a post.
The publication of the Ministry's list of alternative medicines caused a strong reaction from Corfu Pharmaceutical Association, which pointed out:
"Those who made up the list are out of touch with the market as a lot of the medicines have been discontinued. It is presenting a list of medicines to members of the public who are not familiar with them and don't know what to make of it.
The list of medicines on sale is being presented as if it were the same as consumer goods (if you can't find sugar, buy saccharine).
There is a sleep medication which, of course, requires a doctor's prescription (should they ask a doctor or is it sufficient to present the list in order to obtain it?).
It directly diminishes the pharmacist's profession as the knowledge of alternative medicines when one is not available is part of their studies.
The shortage of supplies cannot be solved by lists. It can be solved by drastic legislation and actions such as ongoing monitoring of exports at pharmaceutical warehouses, increase in spending on pharmaceuticals and the cultivation of suitable business conditions for wholesale pharmaceutical businesses and companies without having the need to export."
Corfu Pharmaceutical Association Vice-President Alexandros Stamatakos told Enimerosi, "It's a disgrace to publish these kinds of lists and shows that the Ministry of Health doesn't realise the problem being created for public health. Patients could take these lists as guides and ask pharmacists for medicines that have not been on the market for years, thus creating more problems."
The lists published by the Ministry of Health
The publication of the Ministry's list of alternative medicines caused a strong reaction from Corfu Pharmaceutical Association, which pointed out:
"Those who made up the list are out of touch with the market as a lot of the medicines have been discontinued. It is presenting a list of medicines to members of the public who are not familiar with them and don't know what to make of it.
The list of medicines on sale is being presented as if it were the same as consumer goods (if you can't find sugar, buy saccharine).
There is a sleep medication which, of course, requires a doctor's prescription (should they ask a doctor or is it sufficient to present the list in order to obtain it?).
It directly diminishes the pharmacist's profession as the knowledge of alternative medicines when one is not available is part of their studies.
The shortage of supplies cannot be solved by lists. It can be solved by drastic legislation and actions such as ongoing monitoring of exports at pharmaceutical warehouses, increase in spending on pharmaceuticals and the cultivation of suitable business conditions for wholesale pharmaceutical businesses and companies without having the need to export."
Corfu Pharmaceutical Association Vice-President Alexandros Stamatakos told Enimerosi, "It's a disgrace to publish these kinds of lists and shows that the Ministry of Health doesn't realise the problem being created for public health. Patients could take these lists as guides and ask pharmacists for medicines that have not been on the market for years, thus creating more problems."
The lists published by the Ministry of Health
