Greece’s obesity program is facing a funding crisis after the government’s “Prolamvano,” or “I Prevent,” initiative was excluded from European Union recovery funds, setting off a dispute between the country’s pharmaceutical industry and the Health Ministry over who will pay for it.
The program had provided free obesity medications until European support ended. SFEE, the Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies, wrote to Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis and Alternate Health Minister Eirini Agapidaki, asking the ministry not to require drug companies to help cover the shortfall.
SFEE objects to the use of Greece’s clawback system, which requires manufacturers to repay the state when drug spending exceeds set limits, to fund obesity medicines distributed under the program.
The association said the ministry decided to use that system without consulting the industry first. It also accused officials of trying to cover both past and future costs of the program by shifting the burden onto drug makers.
New law shifts Greece’s obesity program financing to EOPYY
The shortfall in Greece’s obesity program began after EU authorities refused to classify it under the country’s broader cardiovascular prevention program, which meant it no longer qualified for funding under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility.
Lawmakers have since passed Article 102 of a new law, which allows public health programs under Greece’s “Spyros Doxiadis” National Prevention Program to continue once EU funding runs out. Starting September 1, 2026, EOPYY, the national healthcare organization, will take over financing and running these programs.
SFEE said the obesity medicines were never submitted for reimbursement because they were only distributed through the government program, and it called any retroactive clawback charges on those drugs unjustified.
The ministry’s plan to negotiate reimbursement prices has also raised doubts about whether the program will restart on schedule.
Funding crisis in program leaves patients and pharma stuck
The funding crisis has already affected patients directly. SFEE noted no arrangement was made for July and August, when many people reportedly paid for their medication out of pocket after free access stopped.
SFEE said it supports the program’s health goals but warned that launching it without secure financing, then billing drug companies later, sets a damaging precedent and could weaken confidence in the reimbursement system.
It remains unclear whether EOPYY will receive additional state funding in September or whether pharmaceutical companies will keep absorbing part of the cost through the clawback mechanism.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
