Concern over Greek patients’ access to new, innovative therapies: 3 out of 5 new medicines do not reach Greece
Press Release
Athens, May 25, 2026.- Fewer new innovative medicines are reaching Greece, and those that do arrive are delayed by almost two (2) years after their approval by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), according to findings presented by the Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies (SFEE) during a press conference held to present two (2) studies concerning Greek patients’ access to new, innovative therapies.
- Patients W.A.I.T. Indicator Study (EFPIA-IQVIA) 2025:
This is the most reliable international study examining the availability of new medicines across Europe. It has been conducted since 2004 and covers 36 countries.
- The study showed that less pharmaceutical innovation is reaching Greek patients, as only 69 out of the 168 new medicines approved by the EMA became available in Greece during the 2021–2024 period, compared to 75 out of 173 during 2020–2023.
- Of these 69 new medicines, only 36 are fully accessible to Greek patients, while the remainder are available only under restrictions (through IFET or special access schemes).
- Consequently, Greek patients:
- have unrestricted access to only 1 out of 5 innovative medicines introduced in the past four years,
- have limited access to another 1 out of 5 medicines, and
- have no access at all to 3 out of 5 new medicines.
- Regarding the time required for these new medicines to become available, the average delay is 641 days from European approval until reimbursement in Greece.
- έχει απρόσκοπτη πρόσβαση σε 1 στα 5 καινοτόμα φάρμακα της τελευταίας τετραετίας
- έχει περιορισμένη πρόσβαση σε 1 ακόμα στα 5 φάρμακα και
- δεν έχει καθόλου πρόσβαση σε 3 στα 5 νέα φάρμακα.
- Availability of new medicines in Greece:
For the third consecutive year, SFEE commissioned IQVIA to conduct a study among SFEE member companies marketing innovative medicines regarding the availability of new medicines in Greece during the 2022–2025 period. The main findings were as follows:
- Out of the 214 new innovative medicines approved by the EMA between 2022 and 2025, only 42 (20%) are currently available on the Greek market as of May 25, 2026 (a finding similar to last year’s study), confirming the conclusion of the Patients W.A.I.T. Indicator (EFPIA-IQVIA) 2025 study that only 1 in 5 innovative medicines from the past four years is currently available to Greek patients.
- The extremely difficult environment created by excessive mandatory rebates and clawbacks has resulted in 3 out of 5 new innovative medicines (132 out of 178) not being available to Greek patients.
The above studies clearly highlight the urgent need to address inequalities in Greek patients’ access to new, innovative therapies. Improving the current situation requires:
- a) redefining public pharmaceutical expenditure so that it reflects the real needs of Greek citizens, while at the same time
- b) improving the efficiency of pharmaceutical spending through prescription controls, implementation of reforms, and the use of digital tools.
If the goal is to establish a truly sustainable pharmaceutical system and, above all, ensure timely and universal access for all Greek patients to the treatments they need, the State must commit to a three-year plan characterized by transparency and predictability. Such a framework would enable pharmaceutical companies to plan and invest in Greece, ensuring that Greek citizens have access to the treatment they need, when they need it.
