The first steps to end the public’s inconvenience at EOPYY pharmacies were announced on Wednesday evening by Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis, following a meeting at the Ministry of Health with pharmacists, pharmaceutical companies, and patient representatives.

The first measure involves the immediate hiring of 20 pharmacists under service contracts for EOPYY pharmacies in the next 24 hours, aiming to reinforce the pharmacies and improve public service.

Additionally, the second measure announced by Mr. Georgiadis is the redistribution, starting today, of medications from Category 1A (hospital-use drugs) to other hubs, such as hospitals and private clinics. This aims to spare patients needing these specific drugs from waiting in line at EOPYY pharmacies. According to the Health Minister, this intervention is expected to reduce daily traffic at EOPYY pharmacies by 10%.

At the same time, Mr. Georgiadis confirmed (as the third measure) that a general framework has been agreed upon with pharmacists and pharmaceutical companies to transfer part of prescription dispensing from EOPYY pharmacies to private pharmacies. “We are not yet ready to provide a timeline. I expect the final plan will be ready in about 10 days,” he noted, emphasizing that EOPYY pharmacies are not closing.