Category: access to treatment

Expansion of High-Cost Medicines Available Through EOPYY Private Pharmacies – What Changes for Patients

The Hellenic National Organization for the Provision of Health Services (EOPYY) is expanding the list of new high-cost medicines available through private EOPYY pharmacies, facilitating patient access to high-cost treatments. The recent decision was published in the Government Gazette.

This development represents another step toward simplifying patient access to high-cost therapies, reducing the need for physical visits to EOPYY pharmacies.

The new regulation includes the addition of further medicines, broadening the scope of the measure. Among these are treatments for multiple sclerosis, such as the active substance ocrelizumab, as well as anticancer agents like imatinib and capecitabine, widely used in oncology. This expansion is expected to significantly benefit more patients, who until now had to be served through specific distribution points, often facing longer waiting times. Patients will gain convenience and improved continuity of care, as access to treatments becomes faster and more reliable.

The option to collect medicines from private EOPYY pharmacies is expected to substantially improve patients’ daily lives, reducing hassle and enhancing accessibility, especially for those with chronic or serious conditions. This change is also part of the broader digital transformation of health services, aiming for a more flexible and patient-centered system. Healthcare providers will be able to monitor medicine distribution more efficiently, ensuring timely support and guidance for patients throughout their treatment.

According to the Government Gazette:

The start date of the medicine distribution process, with supply by EOPYY and final delivery at the private pharmacy specified in ministerial decision EΑLE/GΠ/oικ.51724/19-11-2025, as listed in the table below, is set as the date when EOPYY’s upgraded electronic platform (fyk.eopyy.gov.gr) becomes fully operational for the submission of patient requests under the new procedure defined in the above ministerial decision.

You can read the Government Gazette here (greek text)

Read our previous articles on the HCM procedure here and here

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

New Collaboration between Cancer Guidance Center – Kapa3 and the Hellenic Federation of Persons with Multiple Sclerosis (HFoPwMS)

Cancer Guidance Center – Kapa3 announces its new collaboration with the Hellenic Federation of Persons with Multiple Sclerosis (HFoPwMS), strengthening synergies between organizations active in the field of health and patient support.

This collaboration aims to develop joint initiatives that will contribute to raising awareness, promoting public information, and providing meaningful support to people living with chronic conditions, with particular focus on cancer patients and persons living with Multiple Sclerosis. Through the exchange of knowledge, experience and good practices, the two organizations seek to strengthen actions that promote equal access to information, healthcare services and social inclusion for patients.

Cancer Guidance Center – Kapa3 is dedicated to supporting people living with cancer and their caregivers by providing reliable information, practical guidance and access to benefits and services. At the same time, the organization develops initiatives that enhance patients’ awareness of their rights and promote their psychosocial empowerment. Through initiatives such as Mobile Units, digital tools and educational programmes, Kapa3 promotes a patient-centred approach to cancer care, encouraging patients to actively participate in decisions concerning their health and quality of life, while fostering collaborations with organizations working in the fields of health and social support.

The Hellenic Federation of Persons with Multiple Sclerosis (HFoPwMS) is a secondary non-profit organization founded in 2008 with the aim of uniting and supporting primary associations of persons with Multiple Sclerosis across Greece, while also raising awareness about the disease among the wider public. The Federation currently brings together nine primary patient associations from across the country. HFoPwMS implements awareness and advocacy initiatives related to Multiple Sclerosis and works to ensure the equal participation of people with MS in the educational, professional, athletic and cultural life of the country. It is a member of the National Confederation of Disabled People (ESAmeA) and the European Multiple Sclerosis Platform (EMSP).

Within the framework of this collaboration, the two organizations plan to develop joint initiatives such as the organization of conferences, workshops and awareness events, the implementation of information and public awareness campaigns, participation in national and European programmes, as well as the development of joint research initiatives on issues related to patients’ quality of life. The partnership will also contribute to strengthening interdisciplinary cooperation and knowledge exchange among organizations active in the health sector.

This new collaboration reflects the shared vision of the two organizations to strengthen the voice of patients and promote a society that respects, supports and empowers people living with chronic conditions.

Kapa3 and Doctorhomie: Joining Forces to Support Cancer Patients

Kapa3 is pleased to announce the signing of a memorandum of cooperation with the digital home-care platform Doctorhomie. The Kapa3–Doctorhomie collaboration aims to strengthen support for cancer patients and their families across Greece.

Since its establishment, the Cancer Guidance Center – Kapa3 has been actively working to provide meaningful guidance to people living with cancer and their caregivers, with a strong focus on access to benefits and services, information about patients’ rights, and psychosocial support. Through Mobile Units, digital tools and educational initiatives, the organization promotes patient-centred care, creates channels of communication with beneficiaries and strengthens their participation in decisions concerning their health. Kapa3’s philosophy is grounded in building partnerships, leveraging technology and fostering collaborations with organizations that share the same vision.

Doctorhomie, on the other hand, is redefining home-based care in Greece by offering an integrated digital platform that connects patients with physicians, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists and caregivers. Through tools that enhance monitoring and management of care at home, Doctorhomie contributes to strengthening Primary Health Care, promoting prevention, supporting families and improving both the safety and quality of care.

The new collaboration between Kapa3 and Doctorhomie opens opportunities for joint initiatives at multiple levels, including:

  • the organization of workshops, conferences and webinars aimed at informing patients, promoting quality of care and strengthening trust between patients and their treating physicians, particularly within the context of home-based care and Primary Health Care,

  • awareness and information campaigns focusing on prevention, the fight against myths and stigma, and a better understanding of patients’ symptoms and needs,

  • participation and collaboration in national and European programmes that promote innovation in oncology care and strengthen digital tools for patients and caregivers,

  • joint research initiatives on topics of shared interest, with the aim of supporting scientific evidence, disseminating knowledge and contributing to health policy development at both national and European level.

This partnership is founded on the shared belief that patient care begins with information and support, is strengthened through education and collaboration, and evolves through the combined use of technology and patient-centred practices.

Kapa3 and Doctorhomie are committed to making the most of this collaboration in order to strengthen patients’ participation in decisions regarding their health, reduce inequalities and provide timely and effective support to those who need it.

With a shared vision of quality and accessible care, Kapa3 and Doctorhomie are opening a new chapter of cooperation in support of cancer patients in Greece.

Download our Press Release in pdf or word

High Cost Medicines: One More Addition to Help Patients – Up to Three People Can Now Collect on Their Behalf

As of Monday, February 16, 2026, High-Cost Medicines for cancer patients can now be collected by up to three designated representatives, offering greater flexibility and easier access to treatment through community pharmacies.

This new possibility is particularly important for patients who require regular access to High Cost Medicines but may have difficulty getting to the pharmacy or live far from a pharmacy. By allowing representatives, care becomes more flexible and adapted to everyday needs, while ensuring the safety and correct use of the treatment. In this way, access to therapy is faster, more human-centered, and free from unnecessary hassle.

In this first phase, the option applies to patients with cancer and multiple sclerosis, and it will gradually extend to other High Cost Medicines categories. The steps for collection remain the same: the insured person logs into the platform using Taxisnet + AMKA, selects the pharmacy of their choice, and monitors the progress of their order.

For more details, see our previous article.

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Cancer is increasingly becoming a highly manageable disease

In the Sunday edition of To Vima newspaper and Vita magazine (25 January 2026), the views of Ms Evangeli Bista, co-founder of Kapa3, were featured, shedding light on the landscape of modern oncology and the challenges emerging within the current Greek healthcare reality.

Ms Bista addressed the Greek context and highlighted the importance of digital technology as a cornerstone of modern health policy, particularly in the field of cancer care, where treatment pathways are complex, long-term, and deeply person-centred. As she noted, Greece has already made measurable progress: electronic and paperless prescribing, oncology registries, the National Electronic Health Record, and applications such as MyHealthApp are creating the conditions for more coordinated and transparent care. When healthcare professionals, as well as patients themselves, are equipped with appropriate digital skills, patient autonomy is strengthened, treatment outcomes improve, and inequalities—especially those affecting vulnerable population groups—are reduced.

The article is co-authored by distinguished scientists and collaborators: Maria Gazouli, Professor of Biology, Genetics and Nanomedicine at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and national representative on the Committee for Advanced Therapies of the European Medicines Agency; Manolis Saloustros, Associate Professor of Oncology at the University of Thessaly and President of the Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology (HESMO); and Christos Frantzidis, Assistant Professor of Informatics and Machine Learning at the University of Lincoln in the United Kingdom.

The contributing experts underline that modern oncology increasingly approaches cancer as a largely manageable chronic disease, through targeted and personalised therapies. The use of innovative technologies—such as next-generation sequencing, mRNA vaccines, PARP inhibitors and cellular therapies—has significantly expanded therapeutic options. At the same time, prognosis is becoming more dynamic and individualised through the use of multi-omics profiling, machine learning algorithms and liquid biopsy techniques. Particular emphasis is placed on the early integration of palliative care and psychosocial support, which play a crucial role in improving patients’ quality of life. Finally, the importance of structured and coordinated healthcare services is highlighted, with the medical oncologist acting as a key coordinator of person-centred care.

Beyond documenting technological advances, the article opens a broader discussion on the digital transition in oncology care, addressing issues of access, meaningful use of data and the need for coordination across different scientific disciplines. Digital health is presented not as an end in itself, but as a tool that requires collaboration, institutional maturity and a shared vision in order to deliver real value to patients.

The overarching message is clear: every step, whether small or large, matters. Progress in oncology is not the result of isolated actions, but of collective effort. Through collaboration among scientists, healthcare professionals, organisations and patients, the conditions for meaningful and sustainable change can be created—always with the human being and their real needs at the centre.

Download our Press release here:  KAPA3_VIMA

Text / Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Dispensing High-Cost Medicines (HCM) Through Private Pharmacies – What Changes for Patients

A recent Ministerial Decision (Government Gazette B’ 6333/27.11.2025) introduces significant changes to the distribution of High-Cost Medicines (HCM), allowing patients to receive these medicines not only from EOPYY pharmacies but also from private community pharmacies. This new framework replaces the 2020 regulation and aims to ease patient access, reduce inconvenience, and improve the delivery of essential therapies.

The list of HCM medicines included in this process is available in the corresponding Government Gazette here.

What Changes for Patients

  • The prescribing physician issues the prescription through the national e-prescription system (IDIKA).
  • Patients may choose to receive their medicine either from an EOPYY pharmacy or a private community pharmacy.
  • Through the dedicated HCM application (using Taxisnet credentials + AMKA), patients select the private pharmacy that will serve them.
  • Patients receive electronic notifications regarding the status of their order and the availability of the medicine for pickup.
  • Medicines are dispensed with zero patient co-payment.
  • The time from approval to pickup may not exceed 10 days.

What Changes for Private Pharmacies

Private pharmacists now assume an expanded role in handling High-Cost Medicines, with specific responsibilities and procedures.

  1. Medicine Receipt
  • The pharmacist scans the product’s barcode in the EOPYY system to complete the warehouse reconciliation process for EOPYY’s pharmaceutical depot.
  • The patient is automatically notified via the system once the medicine arrives at the pharmacy.
  1. Prescription Verification and Dispensing

The pharmacist must verify:

  • the patient’s identity or the presence of a valid authorization,
  • the accuracy of the prescription and its alignment with the prescribing physician’s instructions,
  • the correct medicinal product,
  • the presence of any required supporting documents,
  • the authenticity labels or deactivated safety features,
  • the physician’s signature and the recipient’s signature.

The pharmacist then signs and stamps the prescription to complete the dispensing process.

Failure to comply with these procedures may lead to sanctions under Presidential Decree 121/2008.

  1. Pharmacist Remuneration

For each dispensed HCM prescription, pharmacists receive:

  • a scientific service fee of €20.00 + VAT,

without the need to issue transport documents.

This cost is not included in the total pharmaceutical expenditure ceiling of EOPYY.

  1. Monthly Submission of Prescriptions

Every month, pharmacists must send:

  • the dispensed prescriptions,
  • the consolidated report,
  • and the service invoice
    to the EOPYY Department of Prescription Processing and Review.

Electronic images of prescriptions remain available for audit.

  1. Unexecuted Prescriptions

If a prescription is not executed:

  • the medicine is returned to the pharmaceutical company after 5 days,
  • and the company issues a credit invoice to EOPYY.
  1. Loss or Damage of Medicines

If the medicine is lost or damaged due to pharmacist responsibility,
EOPYY charges the pharmacist the procurement value of the product.

Why This Change Matters

The updated system:

  • reduces patient inconvenience,
  • relieves congestion in EOPYY pharmacies,
  • ensures faster access to essential therapies,
  • strengthens the role of community pharmacists,
  • and modernizes the distribution of High-Cost Medicines.

This development significantly improves the daily lives of patients who rely on regular access to specialized treatments — including many oncology patients. KAPA3 continues to stand by cancer patients and their families, offering reliable guidance and practical support so that every patient feels safe and fully informed about their rights and benefits.

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3