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Provision of High-Cost Medications During the Christmas Period

The National Organization for the Provision of Health Services (EOPYY) has announced the dates for the provision of high-cost medications during the Christmas period, allowing patients to be served at private pharmacies.

The announcement is accompanied by a table showing the availability of the medications, to facilitate smooth collection.

Due to the inability of some pharmaceutical and transportation companies to fully meet the demand during the holidays, requests submitted through the High-Cost Medications (HCM) platform will be processed according to the dates and medications listed in the attached table.

The option to collect HCMs from private pharmacies gives patients greater flexibility and reduces delays that may occur during the holidays. This ensures the continuous administration of their treatments while minimizing inconvenience and waiting times at public pharmacies.

You can view the table/list of medications by opening the attached PDF HERE.

Read the official EOPYY announcement here.

For a full overview of the general framework for HCM distribution and the most recent updates, you can read our related article here. It describes the ministerial decision (Government Gazette B’ 6333/27.11.2025), which updates the process for HCM distribution, now allowing collection from community private pharmacies. This decision replaces the previous 2020 framework and aims to ease patient access, reduce delays, and improve access to critical treatments.

During the Christmas period, Kapa3 remains by patients’ side, ensuring timely and safe access to their treatments. Through continuous information and support with practical matters, our goal is for patients to feel confidence and care, even during times of increased challenges such as the holidays.

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

10 December — The Right to Health, Dignity and Equality

On 10 December 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — a landmark document of 30 articles affirming, for the first time, that every person is entitled to equal, inalienable and fundamental rights: dignity, freedom, equality, security, and justice.

The Declaration marked a turning point in history. In the aftermath of World War II, states committed to protecting the human rights of all people — not only civil and political rights, but also social rights such as the right to health.

The Right to Health — Why It Matters for People Living with Cancer

The right to health is enshrined in Article 25 of the Universal Declaration and forms a cornerstone of human dignity.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it includes:

access to quality health services
a safe and supportive environment
clear, accessible health information
equal treatment without discrimination

For people living with cancer, this right translates into timely diagnosis, dignified care, psychosocial support, and information that is understandable and tailored to their real needs.

Cancer Statistics: The Global Picture and Greece

According to the latest estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO):

In 2022, there were approximately 20 million new cancer diagnoses worldwide.
Cancer-related deaths reached 9.7 million.
IARC projects that by 2050, global cancer cases could increase by up to 77%, unless prevention, equitable access and high-quality care are strengthened.

Cancer in Greece

Recent data for Greece indicate:

An estimated 63,176 new cancer cases in 2022.
An age-standardised incidence rate of 529 new diagnoses per 100,000 people, slightly below the EU-27 average.
A mortality rate of 239 deaths per 100,000 people (2021), slightly above the European average.
The most common cancer types in Greece include breast, prostate, colorectal, lung and thyroid cancer.
Inequalities in access to early detection and modern treatments remain a significant concern.

Why These Numbers Matter

Cancer does not affect “a few.” It is widespread — with thousands of new diagnoses every year. But outcomes are not equal for everyone. Many patients and caregivers face disparities in access to early diagnosis, quality care, reliable information, and continuous support.

In Greece, thousands of people confront daily barriers: delays, regional inequalities, lack of supportive services, overly complex medical information, or gaps in the continuity of care.

These realities make the right to health — especially in cancer care — a critical human rights issue.

Our Commitment at Kapa3

At Kapa3, we work to reduce health inequalities and ensure that every person living with cancer can access what they are entitled to. Through:

Accessible and clear translations of medical information
Psychosocial support for patients and caregivers
Participation in EU projects promoting equitable health care
Public awareness and prevention campaigns
Collaboration with scientific bodies and health authorities
Actions supporting health equity for vulnerable groups
The Kapa3 App as a digital tool for patient support

Across all our initiatives, we promote equality, empowerment and respect for human dignity in everyday cancer care.

No One Should Be Left Behind

Human Rights Day is not merely an anniversary. It is a reminder that health is not a privilege — it is a right.
And this right must be protected in practice, through policies, structures and services that respond to people’s real needs.

We stand beside every patient and every caregiver. We continue to work for a health-care system that supports and respects everyone, without exception.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Healthcare Business Awards 2025

KAPA3, in collaboration with the Laboratory of Basic Health Sciences of the Department of Nursing at the University of the Peloponnese, have been honored at the Healthcare Business Awards 2025.

On Tuesday, November 18, at the Ethniki Asfalistiki Conference Center, the Healthcare Business Awards 2025 ceremony took place. For the 10th consecutive year, BOUSSIAS events organized the Awards in Greece, aiming to highlight initiatives and best practices in the healthcare sector.

More than 450 senior executives, representatives of institutions and universities, professionals, and media attended the ceremony, applauding the innovation and quality of the awarded initiatives. A total of 61 companies, organizations, and individuals were recognized across a broad spectrum of business activities.

Among the awardees, the Cancer Patient Guidance Center – KAPA3, together with the Laboratory of Basic Health Sciences of the Department of Nursing at the University of the Peloponnese, were honored with the Silver Award for the project: “Community Co-Design and Implementation of Holistic Educational Practices for Nutrition and Mental Health in Oncology”. The award was received on behalf of both teams by Ms. Evangelia Mpista, Co-Founder of KAPA3.

The Experiential Meetings program offers holistic support to oncology patients and caregivers through community co-design, emphasizing nutrition and mental health.

Its goal is to improve quality of life, empower participants, and promote integrated oncology care in Greece. For all of us, nutritional care is a human right, linked to justice and equity in access, and represents both an institutional culture and an interdisciplinary approach. Providing initiatives such as this project enhances the quality of clinical care, serving as a fundamental pillar in addressing disease complications such as malnutrition.

This program aimed to identify and develop an interconnected set of practices that allow a community to learn how to prevent and manage its own cancer-related challenges, targeting regional communities with limited access to oncology advisory services, including nutrition and mental health.

Interested individuals can participate in upcoming sessions.

This recognition strengthens our commitment to continue our work with dedication, support oncology patients and their families daily, and foster collaborations at this level to maximize the social impact of our initiatives.

On behalf of the entire team of the Cancer Patient Guidance Center – KAPA3 and the Laboratory of Basic Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, University of Peloponnese, we sincerely thank you.

20 November – World Children’s Day

November 20 is dedicated to something fundamental, childern’s rights: the right of every child to grow up in safety, health, care, and dignity. It marks the anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989—a text recognizing that children are not “small adults,” but individuals with unique needs and rights that must be protected in every possible way.

The day focuses on equal access to education, protection from all forms of violence and exploitation, health, social support, and children’s participation in decisions that affect them. Every year, international organizations like UNICEF remind us that millions of children worldwide still lack basic rights. In Europe, around 11% of children face severe material deprivation, while globally, over one billion children live in at-risk conditions, according to recent UN estimates. These numbers highlight that while progress exists, the path toward true equality remains long.

The reality in Greece
In Greece, inequalities affecting children remain evident. According to the Multidimensional Child Poverty Index by the Centre of Planning and Economic Research (KEPE, 2023), a significant proportion of children in Greece lack access to basic needs such as adequate housing, education, healthcare, and financial security. Additionally, UNICEF Greece reports that thousands of children face heightened risks of poverty and social exclusion, with vulnerable families disproportionately affected by recent economic pressures.

Within this context, one group of children deserves particular attention: children living with cancer. The disease affects their daily life, education, social relationships, and even their sense of safety and stability. Access to quality medical care, psychological support, and family assistance is not a “luxury”—it is a right.

Every child facing this challenge deserves an environment that respects their needs, supports recovery, and allows them to continue dreaming. Equally important is empowering parents, who often face extraordinary difficulties while caring for their child.

At Kapa3, we strongly believe that protecting children—especially those experiencing cancer—is a responsibility shared by all. That is why we stand firmly by them, promoting care, psychosocial support, and societal awareness. Every action, every piece of information, and every collaboration strengthens the network of protection that children deserve.

World Children’s Day reminds us that protection must be continuous. Through cooperation, knowledge, and humanity, we can create a framework where every child—healthy or ill—feels valued, heard, and hopeful for the future.

Sources:
• KEPE – Multidimensional Child Poverty Index
• UNICEF Greece – Child Rights & Poverty Data

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

17/11, Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action

Today is dedicated to a goal that, until recently, seemed almost impossible: the complete elimination of cervical cancer.

This is the only cancer that can be almost entirely prevented, thanks to HPV vaccination and regular screening.

This day was internationally established following the World Health Organization’s initiative in 2020 and was officially recognized in 2025 by the World Health Assembly as the “World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day.” It reminds us that awareness and access to healthcare save lives—and that no woman should be lost to a cancer that can be prevented.

Key Statistics

Cervical cancer remains the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. Every year, hundreds of thousands of new cases are diagnosed, and according to the latest WHO data, approximately 660,000 new cases and nearly 350,000 deaths were recorded in 2022.

In Europe, there has been a steady decline thanks to screening and vaccination programs, but inequalities between countries persist. Despite significant international progress, disparities remain: in many regions, access to HPV vaccination is not universal, and organized population screening programs do not exist. This means that many women do not have the same opportunity for early diagnosis and treatment, leading to much higher mortality in lower-income countries.

Situation in Greece

In Greece, according to ICO/IARC data, about 697 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year, while approximately 282 die from the disease. Significant progress has been made, with the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the National Vaccination Program and the development of organized screening actions. Still, awareness remains the key tool to increase women’s participation in Pap and HPV tests.

In this context, it is worth remembering the Greek doctor Georgios Papanikolaou, the scientist who gave his name to the Pap test and paved the way for the worldwide reduction in cervical cancer mortality. His contribution is one of the most significant in the history of preventive medicine.

What We Can Do

In Kapa3, we firmly believe, that today is not just a reminder. It is a call for all of us to take a step: to talk to the women around us. To break the silence, the fear, and the stigma. Let’s celebrate Cervical Cancer Elimination Day by speaking with friends, daughters, mothers, sisters—by reaching out to the women in our lives and promoting prevention.

Through awareness, prevention, and equitable access to healthcare services, cervical cancer can truly become a thing of the past. Every step in this direction is a victory for all.

Biomarkers Open New Paths in Cancer Treatment in Greece

Good news for cancer patients in Greece — access to personalized treatments is now becoming a reality.

A recent decision by the Ministry of Health (ΦΕΚ Β’ 5627/20-10-2025, Απόφαση Δ3(α) 41081/2025) approves and reimburses a wider range of biomarker tests, marking an important step forward for modern oncology care.

Read the Government Gazette here

But what are biomarkers?
They are special indicators detected through molecular tests that help doctors understand the unique characteristics of each patient’s cancer. In simple terms, biomarkers act like a “compass,” guiding doctors to choose the most effective and safest treatment for every individual.

Until now, only a few biomarkers were covered by the public health system — for example, molecular signatures that determine whether a woman with early-stage breast cancer needs chemotherapy (approved in 2018), or BRCA1/2 gene tests that reveal inherited risk for breast and ovarian cancer.

The new decision significantly expands this list, adding additional biomarkers for 39 indications. This allows oncologists to tailor treatments to the specific profile of each patient’s tumor, bringing Greece closer to international standards of personalized medicine.

KAPA3, which consistently supports patient education and empowerment, welcomes this development as a vital step toward more human-centred, targeted care.

This progress brings hope, better quality of life, and greater trust in the healthcare system. It is only the beginning, but it lays strong foundations for a future where every patient has access to the right treatment, at the right time.

Learn about patient rights via KAPA3’s extensive library here

Learn more about cancer biomarkers here

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Free and Reduced Transportation for People with Disabilities and Large Families – What Changes in 2025

The Greek state is implementing significant changes regarding transportation for people with disabilities and large families in 2025. The new regulations simplify procedures, expand rights, and make public transport more accessible for all eligible individuals.

People with Disabilities (PwD)
Who is eligible:
Eligible individuals include people with disabilities with a disability rate of 67% or higher, or those receiving disability benefits from OPEKA. Totally blind individuals and holders of a digital Disability Card marked with levels II or III are exempt from income limits.

What changes:

Residency criteria are removed.
The right to free or reduced transportation now extends to one accompanying person, if needed.
Using the Disability Card for OASA, OSETH, KTEL, and Thessaloniki Metro is now simple with electronic or personalized card validation, without additional documents.

Practical use:

Free travel on OASA, OSETH, urban KTEL, and the municipalities of Kos and Rhodes.
50% discount on intercity KTEL routes.
Thessaloniki Metro requires topping up the ThessCard with zero fare.
Accompanying persons can travel without separate validation when accompanying the eligible individual.

Large Families
Who is eligible:
Eligible individuals are large families and their members, according to existing legislation protecting large families.

What changes:

Travel with OASA, OSETH, and KTEL becomes more flexible.
Free or discounted tickets are supported depending on the policy of each transport service.

Practical use:

Simple procedure for issuing travel passes through Citizens’ Service Centers (KEP) and relevant regional authorities.
Tickets are valid for urban and intercity transport services.

These new regulations simplify the daily lives of people with disabilities and large families, reduce bureaucracy, and make access to all public transport easier.

See the Official Government Gazette (FEK) here

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for Stress Relief

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a program developed by Professor Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, designed to help individuals focus on the present moment by observing thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations with acceptance and without judgment. The program includes guided meditations, mindful movement exercises (such as yoga), breathing practices, and body scans, promoting mental calm, emotional regulation, and stress reduction.

As expected, this approach has been applied to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life in cancer patients. A recent systematic review published in BMC Psychology in November 2024 examined the effectiveness of MBSR in breast cancer patients, focusing on outcomes such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, quality of life, post-traumatic growth (PTG), fear of recurrence, pain, stress, and sleep.

The review included 15 randomized studies with a total of 1,937 participants. Results showed that the eight-week program significantly reduced anxiety and depression and improved quality of life compared to a six-week program or usual care. Additionally, post-traumatic growth increased and remained elevated even three months after completing the program. Fatigue decreased at the end of the program, though no statistically significant difference was found at the three-month follow-up. The method did not show significant effects on pain, stress, fear of recurrence, or sleep compared to usual care. Nevertheless, MBSR remains a powerful tool for psychological support.

At Kapa3, we believe that mindfulness can be a valuable aid for those who need it, and the results of this systematic review highlight MBSR’s value as a safe and effective intervention for the psychological support of patients.

Researchers note that a longer program duration allows participants to internalize MBSR practices and develop positive coping strategies. MBSR focuses on conscious attention to the present, with patience, acceptance, and a non-judgmental stance, helping regulate emotions and reduce negative thoughts related to the illness. Regular practice, especially in an eight-week program, appears to enhance positive outcomes, improving both psychological well-being and patients’ perception of their lives.

Depression and Cancer Mortality: A Critical Link Across Major Cancer Types

Depression is a common but often underrecognized condition among cancer patients, affecting up to 20–30% of individuals diagnosed with the disease. Beyond its impact on quality of life, mounting evidence suggests that depression can significantly influence cancer outcomes, including survival. A recent meta-analysis of 65 cohort studies spanning colorectal, breast, lung, prostate, and mixed cancers provides compelling evidence that depression diagnosed after a cancer diagnosis is associated with a substantially increased risk of mortality.

The analysis revealed that patients with depression faced an 83% higher risk of dying from colorectal cancer, a 59% higher risk in lung cancer, a 74% higher risk in prostate cancer, and a 23% higher risk in breast cancer compared to non-depressed patients. Across mixed cancer types, depression increased the risk of cancer mortality by 38%. These findings underscore that the psychological burden of cancer is not merely an emotional challenge but a critical factor affecting survival outcomes.

Mechanisms Linking Depression and Cancer Outcomes

Depression may influence cancer progression through multiple biological and behavioral pathways. Biologically, depression is associated with chronic systemic inflammation, dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, immune suppression, autonomic dysfunction, oxidative stress, and impaired DNA repair. Elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), can contribute to tumor growth and metastasis. In older patients, depression may exacerbate age-related immune dysfunction, creating an environment more permissive to cancer progression.

Behaviorally, depression affects health-related actions and treatment adherence. Depressed patients are more likely to delay seeking medical care, adhere poorly to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormonal therapies, and engage in unhealthy habits such as smoking, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity. Social isolation and reduced support systems further increase vulnerability, compounding the negative impact on survival.

Clinical Implications and Interventions

The strong association between depression and cancer mortality highlights the urgent need to integrate mental health care into routine oncology practice. Psychological interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), supportive-expressive therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches, have shown promise in reducing distress and improving adherence to cancer treatment. Pharmacological management, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may also support mental health and potentially influence cancer outcomes, though more research is needed to understand their role fully. Early identification and treatment of depressive symptoms should be considered a priority for oncologists, mental health professionals, and healthcare policymakers alike.

Limitations and Future Directions

While this meta-analysis provides robust evidence, several limitations should be noted. The observational nature of the studies prevents establishing causality, and differences in study design, depression assessment methods, and patient populations contribute to heterogeneity. Future research should explore longitudinal and randomized studies to clarify causal pathways and identify the most effective interventions to reduce depression-related mortality. Investigating the interactions between depression, inflammation, and cancer biology may also reveal targets for novel supportive therapies.

Depression is not just a psychological burden for cancer patients—it is a significant predictor of mortality across multiple cancer types. These findings call for systematic depression screening and tailored interventions as integral components of oncology care.

Organizations like Kapa3 play a vital role in supporting the mental health of cancer patients, offering resources and guidance that can improve both quality of life and treatment outcomes. Integrating psychological support into cancer care ensures that mental well-being is recognized as an essential part of the healing process.
In line with this mission, Kapa3 participates in MELODIC, a new European initiative dedicated to supporting the mental health of young adults (18–30 years old) living with or beyond cancer.

Read the original article here