OBJECTIVES:  The financial crisis has greatly affected the drug market in Greece. Pharmaceutical expenditure includes only drugs that are provided through all the pharmacies of the country and are used for non-hospital patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of the economic crisis on the consumption of drugs and the pharmaceutical expenditure, giving special emphasis on expenditure incurred by the consumption of cardiovascular drugs and antidepressants, since cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders have increased during the years of crisis. METHODS:  Data were obtained from the database of the National Organization for Healthcare Provision, analyzing the prescriptions and the expenditure of these therapeutic categories in the years 2012-2014, while there were no information about patients’ gender and age. Pivot tables and graphs were drawn to present the results per year and therapeutic area. RESULTS:  The results showed that the prescription of brand-name drugs on and off patent seems to dominate in the pharmaceutical market in Greece. During 2013 and 2014 the prescription of generics seems to increase for cardiovascular diseases (2,2%) and for depression (5,35%). The amount of prescriptions, that means and the amount of drug consumption, during these years has not changed, while there is a reduction in the expenditure.

CONCLUSIONS: Pharmaceutical expenditure is being reduced mainly because of increasing the participation in brand-name drugs and non taking medication by economically weak patients, although the use of generic drugs effectively reduces public pharmaceutical expenditure. The economic crisis may affect the pharmaceutical expenditure mainly by reducing drug prices and less on reducing drug consumption. Further research is needed to evaluate the economic impact of different therapeutic approaches in order to provide implements that can lead to cost-effective therapeutic options while maintaining high-quality care.