Mr. Samaras, will you repeal the "murderous" law of active substance?

As announced a few days ago the Minister of Health in the near future prescriptions will indicate also all the generic medicines of the same class, so that the policyholders to know the differences in the prices and choose what kind of generic that will get!

As the increase in the consumption of generics has not reached the desired by the government and the troika levels, (due to the resistance of doctors, pharmacists and patients) and the outcry of the hidden increases in the participation amount of the insured grows, Mr. Georgiadis tries to give an option (as he says) to the patient, making him responsible for the medication to follow.

But even if the patient sees what the differences are in the prices of a generic of an active substance, his meager income will again lead him to the forced solution of the cheaper generic.

Apart from the government's attempt to cloud the issue as to the hidden hike in patient's participation, the new prescription form is interpreted as a maneuver for the decision of the State Council, for the "homicidal" -as has been described- Law of Loverdos for prescribing of active substance.

The appeal of the Medical Association of Athens against the law was made before about a year, but the decision of the Council of State is still pending; this significant delay for such a critical issue for public health, raises questions.

The Justice, however, has shown that they do not put memorandums over the health of Greek citizens with the recent decision for capped prescription.

As estimated by the medical associations, in the case of the prescribing of active substance, the CoS will justify physicians, who are constitutionally the solely responsible scientists to determine specific treatment and the choice of drug to the patient. Standing demand of physicians is along with the inclusion of the active substance to refer to the brand name of the medicine proposed by the doctor who is treating the patient.

The Minister of Health may now attempt to show "good will" on this request, with the inclusion of the list of generic medicines in recipes. However, if the law is not withdrawn, the road will remain open for the promotion of cheap, questionable quality and efficiency imported generics which manufactured in third countries. Outbreaks of recalls, withdrawals, sealing Indian factories and dangerous side effects are ongoing in the international press. The Council of State can stop the course of health of the Greeks in such dangerous paths.

If the Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras, do not dare or Mr. Georgiadis trembles (in the thought to displease the troika) to restore legitimacy and to ensure public health, then let the Justice do this.

As emphasize the physicians, the medical practice cannot be substituted by no Prime Minister and no Minister, despite their decisions based on foreign interests.