Economic crisis hits Greek health service
The health ministry owes money to pharmacists who have now stopped supplying medicine on credit, leaving many vulnerable
With the general election looming, a new crisis is hitting the Greek health service.
Budget cuts mean the sick and elderly are not receiving the medicine they need. Pharmacists were owed huge amounts of money by the health ministry and now they have stopped supplying medicine on credit, even to those who have contributed to state insurance.
Patients now have to pay up front. Those with high-risk chronic conditions were to receive emergency help, but even some of them have had difficulty finding medication.
Doctors fear for the future of the Greek health service as Sunday’s general election approaches with no clear favourite – and massive economic uncertainty.
Al Jazeera’s Tim Friend reports from Athens.