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Athens, February 13, 2023.– On Monday, 13 February 2023, at a central hotel in Athens, the Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies (SFEE) held its annual New Year Reception, attended by government and opposition officials, representatives of political parties, institutional bodies, and executives from the healthcare sector.

In his address, the President of SFEE, Mr. Olympios Papadimitriou noted that “The Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies and its member companies have managed to successfully respond to their mission in recent years and despite the adverse conditions, ensuring patient access to all available treatment options and medicines. To what extent this will be possible in the future is, of course, the question. Pharmaceutical companies have admittedly emerged as the third pillar of funding for the pharmaceutical care system. The fact is that in our country efforts are being made to modernize the healthcare system. Digital transformation in healthcare, the personal doctor, the patient record, and other reforms are coming to bring about significant changes in the daily lives of citizens, but what seems to be missing is a comprehensive strategic plan for health and more importantly for medicine. There are, however, two areas we are ranking low: a) The funding of the healthcare system and more particularly of the pharmaceutical sector and b) The rational use of the allocated resources by introducing savings and control measures. We stand at a critical turning point, where challenges will very easily displace opportunities if we do not change our perspective. We are optimistic about a healthier future. All we need now is to prioritize health at the political and public level, paving the way to strengthen our healthcare system. At the same time, we expect a policy that will guarantee the predictability and sustainability of the pharma sector and our health system, a fair policy that tries to keep equal distances,” Mr. Papadimitriou concluded his speech.

Short addresses followed, by the Minister of Health, Mr. Thanos Plevris, the representative of the opposition, Mr. Andreas Xanthos, the President of the Hellenic Red Cross, Mr. Antonios Avgerinos, the President of the Hellenic Cancer Federation, Mr. George Kapetanakis, and the President of the Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association, Mr. Apostolos Valtas.

The entire Board of Directors of SFEE, the Minister of Health, Mr. Thanos Plevris and the representative of the opposition, Mr. Andreas Xanthos, all took turns in cutting the cake.

Address of Mr. Olympios Papadimitriou, SFEE President, at New Year’s reception event