Economic crisis has had a severe impact on the Greek National Health Service and it has hindered citizens’ access to medicines. The conference aims at: a) conducting an overall assessment of the situation with regard to accessibility to medicines in Greece (Access to Medicines), b) evaluating progress towards goal achievement under the prism of Athens Declaration on Access to Medicines and c) laying the groundwork for future systematic dialogue on these issues.
Civil Society Empowerment & Awareness Workshop.
The workshop (maximum number of participants 50 persons), which will be held as part of the conference, is intended for representatives of the Greek civil society who are involved in Health services and aims for a) technical knowledge exchange, b) coordination of actions c) civil society representatives’ equal share in decision making and d) more effective ways of claiming their demands (advocacy capacity-building).
The event is organized by TACD with the support of : member of the European Parliament Nikos Chrysogelos , Médecins du Monde Greece, PRAKSIS, Médecins Sans Frontières, DEDIDIKA-Intergroup Committee for Cancer Patients Rights Advocacy, Greek consumer association EKPIZO, and the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA).
RSVP: Admission is free. For more information and submission of registration forms (participation submission deadline, December 10th), please visit the conference website (http://a2mgreece.splashthat.com/)
You can also contact a2m.athensconference@gmail.com
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ATHENS DECLARATION ON ACCESS TO MEDICINES
Economic crisis in Greece poses major challenges to the State’s ability to adequately provide essential medicines, as it is forced to take measures in order to reduce public pharmaceutical expenditure.
Ι. We evaluate and act upon the effects of austerity measures on health, access to medicines, prevention and diagnostics
The European Commission, as part of Troika has advised on budget cuts for health, without taking into account the pernicious repercussions of these economic measures.
Therefore,:
· We call upon the European Commission to investigate and evaluate the impact of austerity measures that have already been imposed, as well as the effects of any other potential future measurements in Greece. In particular, we call up the European Commission to assess the impact these cutbacks have on patients’ access to health care services and affordable medicines.
· We call upon the European Commission and the Greek State to propose clear and effective remedial measures on access to medicines, with particular stress laid on chronic diseases and life-saving treatments.
II. The Greek government and the European Commission must guarantee the open competition of generic medical products
There is a low penetration of generic medicines – compared to other EU member states – both in the Greek market and in state procurements. Moreover, the prices of generic products are often higher than generic drugs in other EU states.
Therefore,:
· We call upon the Greek State to guarantee the safety and reliability of all medicines, to promote a more open generic market and to increase the share of generics in the general Greek market and in the State’s pharmaceutical procurement.
· We call upon the European Commission to investigate possible infringement of competition, and other internal market rules that are limiting the access to lower-priced generic medicines.
· We call upon the Greek State, health professionals and civil society to organize public awareness-raising campaigns on the quality and safety of generic medicines.
III. Transparency on Pricing, Clinical Data and Evaluation of Medicines
· We ask the European Commission and the Greek State to take steps to assure transparency in pricing of pharmaceutical products, clinical data sharing and citizen’s access to transparent and independent E.U Member States medical evaluation committees.
IV. Compulsory License Granting to High-priced Life Saving Medical Products
· We call upon the Greek State to consider issuing compulsory licenses in the cases of some very high priced life saving medicines, in accordance with the international law, even though these medicines are patented.
V. Cooperation of Greece with Other E.U. Member States for Joint Procurement of Medicines
Greece lacks negotiating leverage with global pharmaceutical companies. In addition, Greece is forced to procure important medicines on a radically reduced budget. Therefore,
· We call upon Greece and the European Commission to promote coordination among E.U. member states on joint procurement of medicines. All Member States would benefit of such a cooperation as it can assure lower prices on medical products.
VI. Corruption Limits Access to Medicines in Greece
· We call upon the Greek State to employ drastic measures to reduce corruption in pharmaceutical purchases, prescription and procurements through adherence to the rule of law, transparency and greater public participation in decision-making processes.
Note: The Declaration has ensued from the international conference on “How do we ensure access to medicines in Greece”, which took place on 31st of May, 2013 in Athens. The conference was organized by international NGO TransAtlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD), in collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières, Médecins du Monde Greece and MEP Nikos Chrysogelos.
TACDwith the support of Médecins du Monde Greece, PRAKSIS, Médecins Sans Frontières, DEDIDIKA-Intergroup Committee for Cancer Patients Rights Advocacy, Greek consumer association EKPIZO, the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), and MEP Nikos Chrysogelos organizes another conference and seminar on: “The Impact of Economic Crisis on Access to Medicines: “Society Demands Fair Solutions” European Parliament Office, December 13th, 2013). For more information and submission of registration forms please refer to: convention website http://a2mgreece.splashthat.com/.
To convey your / your organization’s support, please send your message at a2m.athensconference@gmail.com