Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: In Greece, Pharmacies operated by the National Organization for Healthcare Services Provision (EOPYY) dispense high cost and essential medicines, covering approximately 97% of the population. Those medicines are supplied through standard reimbursement pathways and special-access mechanisms for drugs not routinely available, including those imported following approval processes. This study evaluates trends in prescription volume, utilization, and expenditure, distinguishing between special-access and non-special-access medicines over the period 2020-2025.
METHODS: A retrospective descriptive analysis was conducted using aggregated data derived from prescriptions dispensed by EOPYY Pharmacies between 2020 and 2025. Key indicators included prescriptions, pharmaceutical packages, distinct patients (unique social security numbers), and total prescription expenditure. Medicines are categorized as special access or non-special-access according to procurement pathway.
RESULTS: Total prescription expenditure increased from €1.45 billion in 2020, to €2.55 billion in 2025 (+75.4%; Compound Annual Growth Rate (CARG) 12.0%), alongside growth in prescriptions (from 1.64 to 2.41 million; CAGR 8.0%), packages (from 2.99 to 4.10 million; CAGR 6.5%), and unique treated patients (from 215,218 to 328,519; CAGR 8.8%), indicating expanding access. Special-access medicines expenditure rose from €55.0 million in 2020 to €275.7 million in 2025 (+401.3%; CAGR 38.0%), while prescriptions increased from 4,901 to 22,949 (CAGR 36.2%) and packages from 10,160 to 53,480 (CAGR 39.4%). The number of patients receiving these therapies increased from 924 to 4,354 (CAGR 36.3%). In contrast, non-special-access medicines showed more moderate growth, with expenditure rising from €1.40 billion to €2.27 billion (+62.6%; CAGR 10.1%)
CONCLUSIONS: EOPYY Pharmacies play a critical role in ensuring equitable access to medicines while facing increasing patient demand. Although special access medicines account for a limited share of overall activity, their expenditure and utilization are growing faster than standard medicines. These findings indicate growing budgetary pressures and reinforce the need for effective price negotiation and reimbursement mechanisms to ensure sustainable access while preserving financial stability.