A formal written agreement for cheaper drugs between Cyprus and five other EU countries
Cypriot minister champions cheaper meds deal
Cyprus has joined forces with five other EU member states in an effort to get members of the public better access to cheaper medicines, thanks largely to the actions of Health Minister George Pamboridis.
Pamboridis – who has also been credited with making significant progress in restructuring the island’s health system and laying down the foundation for a National Health Scheme (NHS) – initiated the effort in April last year.
The formal written agreement between the participating countries was signed last week and will see the six countries working together to negotiate cheaper medication from the world’s large pharmaceutical manufacturers, demanding better prices on behalf of their populations as a whole rather than one by one.
Cooperating with Cyprus are Malta, Greece, Portugal, Italy and Spain while Pamboridis has noted that “even before the ink on our agreement had dried other European member states also showed interest in joining”.
Since the six countries joined forces, interest has also been shown from Romania, Ireland and Slovakia, he said.
“This is not just a matter that affects Cyprus. It is something that, to some degree, affects every country but mainly the smaller states of the EU”.
Pamboridis said countries with small economies were forced to negotiate with huge multinational companies with a turnover larger that their own Gross Domestic Products.
“How much negotiating power can Malta, Luxembourg or Cyprus have coming up against these giants?” he continued.
When the matter first came up a year and a half ago, the minister said, most EU countries indicated their understanding of the issue.
He said while the European Commission’s hands were tied when it came to demanding better prices on behalf of its members, its Directorate General for Health and Food Safety and including Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis had been supportive of the six countries’ initiative.
“Our main concern was convincing one or two of the larger sates to get involved because they have particular gravitas,” Pamboridis said.
“Of course all this does not mean that we have solved the problem (of expensive medication),” Pamboridis continued.
“Everyone has to realise that, after the weapons industry, the pharmaceuticals industry is the most powerful force in the world. It is a huge power and the only way to deal with this disproportionate negotiation relationship is if we are united”.
