Greek debt crisis: chronic drug shortage risking lives of the sick

Page last updated at 04:58 GMT, Monday, June 11, 2012 - 09:58 EST

Guardian:

A frustrated patient gestures angrily at the entrance of a state health fund office in Athens.

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Clutching a prescription and a ticket numbered 192, Aris stood on the pavement and waited his turn at the state pharmacy. When speaking of his daughter, whose multiple sclerosis medication he had come to collect, the 74-year-old was short on words and visibly moved. When asked about the drug shortages afflicting his country, his reserve melted away and in its place came rage.

"I was told that at some point there would be a problem," he said of the drugs that can cost up to €2,500 (£2,000) for "a tiny box of 22 pills".

"From what I can see, everyone is going to have a problem," added the retired electrician. "If they don't pay the suppliers, how are they going to bring drugs into the country?"

This time, Aris walked away with his daughter's medication – giving as he went the traditional Greek gesture of insult, the moutza, to the "thieves and fraudsters" of the state. But not everyone is as lucky. On Thursday, the multiple sclerosis patients' association warned that if the problems persisted, sufferers could be "led to their deaths". Associations representing cancer, diabetes and kidney disease patients have also spoken of the gravity of the situation. "Finding medicines," said the MS association, "has become a marathon for people with chronic illnesses."

Read the whole story: Guardian