Press Release 1/7/2020
The unprecedented experience we are living due to the Covid19 pandemic in recent months has created new challenges for access to health care, especially for people belonging to vulnerable groups.
Doctors of the World – Greece, from the beginning of the pandemic, continued to provide health services, psychosocial support and medical coverage, approaching and helping the most vulnerable of urban centers, while also developing home help projects for the elderly with chronic diseases, in order to meet their pharmaceutical needs.
The people helped by the projects of Doctors of the World, demonstrate with their testimony the impact of health care policies in conjunction with the restrictive measures imposed due to the Covid19 pandemic.
These testimonials, along with the highlighting of practical issues that make it difficult to access health care, will be included in the relevant research of Doctors of the World – Greece, which is part of the project “Opening Access to Health and Medicine for All” which is implemented in the context of the Active citizens fund program, implemented by Doctors of the World – Greece and partners GIVMED and The Press Project (TPP).
Since the beginning of the program in March 2020 until today, the general regulatory framework concerning the donation of medicines by people and companies in Greece has been analyzed, including the relevant provisions of the broader pharmaceutical legislation, while the compilation of the operating regulations of social pharmacies throughout the country and the grouping of their common features, in order to clearly reflect the way in which the institution of social pharmacies in Greece is implemented.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a global shock. It revealed, among other things, the lack of cooperation and solidarity between countries that instead of supporting each other in the face of danger, engaged in a road race for “salvation” but also the inability of public health systems around the world to manage such an extent epidemic. The highly paid private pharmaceutical companies and clinics on the other hand, which flourished at the expense of these systems, were conspicuous by their absence. Once again, the for-profit model of private companies has demonstrated its inadequacy in addressing global public health needs.
Public funding for research should be given following strong commitments, conditions and full transparency and not be “blank cheque” on pharmaceutical companies. To this end, we welcome the new initiatives to abolish the monopolies and patents taken under COVID-19 and continue to fight for access to medicine for all and for the prevalence of a global health coverage system.
“Facing a global pandemic, we do not need further obstacles to scientific progress, such as the non-recording of clinical trials. National authorities have a duty and an ethical obligation to implement European directives on the registration and notification of sponsors, protocols and clinical trial results within their jurisdiction. “
Jaume Vidal (Senior Policy Advisor at European Projects at Health Action International)
«The Active citizens fund in Greece is supported through a € 12m grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway as part of the EEA Grants 2014 – 2021. The program aims to develop the sustainability and capacity of the civil society sector in Greece, and to strengthen its role in promoting and safeguarding democratic procedures, active citizenship and human rights. The Fund Operator for the Active citizens fund in Greece is Bodossaki Foundation in consortium with Solidarity Now.”