The Greek Medical System and Diabetes

A reader wanted to know how the NHS equivalent in Greece would handle their diabetes– this is what I was able to find out.

Greece’s public health system (IKA) provides free or low cost health care for those who contribute to Greek social security, plus their families and retirees (including those from other EU countries). Members are charged 25 per cent of the actual cost of prescriptions, although there are higher charges for non-essential medicines plus substantial contributions for many services, including spectacles, dentures and other treatment.

Access to treatment for people with diabetes in terms of reimbursement remains satisfactory according to practitioners working in this field. Medicines and medical appliances for diabetes are provided free of charge and patients are covered for all new insulin injections if they are covered by IKA or a medical insurance policy.

Any medication needed for the treatment of adult diabetes may be prescribed by any licensed doctor (insulin included). Generally the diabetes outpatient units operate two or three days a week. Blood glucose level as well as HBA1c may be tested in most of the secondary care facilities and their cost is covered by the system. All the tests related to diabetes and its secondary complications are covered by IKA. Sufferers with secondary complications are referred to specialists.

All major types and brands of medicine are on the Greek market. Any new medical product is offered if that product has already been approved and licensed on the EU market. The medication for diabetes management (insulins, oral medication and Glucagon) is fully compensated by all the insurance companies and the IKA, along with the necessary dispensing devices. Insulin pumps are 100% covered by the insurance companies.

However, Novo Nordisk, a Danish company and the world's leading supplier of insulin for diabetics is withdrawing a state-of-the-art medication from Greece. It has objected to a government decree ordering a 25% price cut in all medicines and a spokesman for the Danish pharmaceutical company said it was withdrawing the pen injection product from the Greek market because the price cut would force its business in Greece to run at a loss. More than 50,000 Greeks with diabetes use Novo Nordisk's product, which is injected via an easy-to-use fountain pen-like device.

Then there was a scandalous article in To Vima, one of Greece's most respected newspapers, saying that the nation's largest government health insurance provider would no longer pay for special footwear for diabetes patients. “Amputation is cheaper”, says the Benefits Division of the state insurance provider. All in all, it remains to be seen how the Greek medical system will perform in these disastrously bad financial times, but comments like this are not reassuring.

If you are planning to move to Greece and you suffer from this condition you would do well to make sure that emergency medical care is within easy reach of your home. Some islands are as far as 250 km away from the nearest specialist treatment centre and it might be very difficult to travel in bad weather if you have an emergency, especially if you are on an island.

Just to finish off, a few weeks ago I wrote about biking in Greece – I had a very amusing if rather worrisome comment from a reader. He says, and I quote:

“Interesting subject. It’s pleasing to know the Greek government is concerned about its visitors. Let’s hope they are as concerned about their indigenous bikers too! We have seen speeding to access, no lights, no helmets, number of people on a bike(Mum, Dad, two children, baby and a dog is our observed record), a sheep, an air conditioning unit, various length of planks and poles (7 metres is record)numerous boxes precariously positioned on passenger seat and between legs - just to name a but a few observations. From a concerned visitor!”

Point taken – have a care out there!

Carol
The Overseas Guides Company
http://www.Greecebuyingguide.com