Focus on the patient and access to innovation
Press Release
Athens, April 22, 2026.- More than 130 representatives of patient organizations, the State, the scientific community, and the pharmaceutical industry participated in the second SFEE Patient Think Tank Summit organized by the Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies yesterday, April 21, 2026, at a central hotel in Athens. The forum highlighted the crucial role of the patient in the modern health system, as well as the need to ensure timely and equitable access to pharmaceutical innovation.
The SFEE Patient Think Tank Summit was opened by the Minister of Health, Mr. Adonis-Spyridon Georgiadis. The Minister of Health expressed his warm thanks to the patient representatives and all stakeholders for their contribution to strengthening cooperation in the field of health. As he characteristically stated: “In the times we live in, fortunately for humanity, new treatments are constantly better, but at the same time much more expensive. So here we need to create a transparent and structured process, which will ensure equal access for all patients who will receive the medicine they really need. I believe, therefore, that we are taking a big step with the fundraising bill and in the parliamentary procedure that will follow, SFEE and the Patients’ Union will be invited to submit their views. We will also proceed with the Transitional Compensation Fund, also known as the Innovation Fund, which will be able to provide special conditions for medicines, with lower levels of clawback, as an incentive to include them in the positive list.”
In his address, the President of SFEE, Mr. Olympios Papadimitriou, stressed that “After last year’s success, we believe that this conference can now be established as an institution, which will focus on the discussion around essential issues that concern patients, in cooperation with all stakeholders of course. At SFEE, we know that the active participation of patients in the formulation of drug policy can lead to improved outcomes for themselves, for healthcare systems and for society as a whole. The meaningful inclusion of patients is a strategic priority for us.”
In his speech, Mr. Ioannis Vardakastanis, President of the National Confederation of People with Disabilities (ESAmeA), raised the issue of representativeness, stressing that “institutionally recognized organizations of people with disabilities are not adequately represented. There is a distinction between participation in the dialogue and institutional representation, and objective criteria are required.”
Ms. Memi Tsekoura, President of the Greek Patients Association stressed that meaningful partnership leads to better policy design and that success is judged by improving patient access.
From his part, Mr. Dr. George Kapetanakis, President of the Hellenic Cancer Federation, said that the new quality and patient safety governance system is a positive development, while he stressed the need for patient participation in the committees and pointed out the challenges related to cost, inequalities and access to treatments.
Finally, Mr. Dimitris Athanasiou, First Vice President of the Association of Rare Patients of Greece, said that access to rare diseases is much more than a drug and that only about 5% of patients have access to treatment, noting that the new institutional framework that is expected to be voted on will create further obstacles.
This was followed by discussions in 3 panels, which were moderated by Mr. Kyriakos Souliotis, Professor of Health Policy and Dean of the School of Social and Political Sciences of the University of the Peloponnese and Mr. Lefteris Thiraios, General Practitioner – Director of the National Health System, Health Center of Vari – Head of the General Directorate, O.DI.P.Y. S.A. – President of the Medical Society of Athens.
During the first panel entitled “Patient’s Co-Payment” topics such as co-payments for medicines and diagnostic tests, the difference between reference and retail prices, access for uninsured patients, centers of expertise, and illegal and/or informal payments within the healthcare system were discussed.
During the second panel entitled “Funding – Access” issues such as the underfunding of public pharmaceutical expenditure and its impact on Greek patients, delays in medicines imported through RDA and IFET, the status of biomarkers, unmet medical needs and the Innovation Fund were discussed.
In the third and last panel entitled “Distribution Safety“, the issues related to the distribution of High Cost Medicines (HRPs) at home and by private pharmacies (observance of cold chain rules, safe transport and distribution of medicines, etc.) were discussed, as well as pharmacovigilance and adherence to medication.
Overall, during the event, the imperative need to modernize the patient-centered health system, ensuring equal access to innovative treatments, was highlighted, while the importance of meaningful cooperation between all stakeholders to formulate a sustainable pharmaceutical policy and improve health outcomes was emphasized. The event concluded with the renewal of the appointment for next year and the holding of the 3rd SFEE Patient Think Tank Summit.
