Following an anonymous complaint regarding the illegal filling of prescriptions, storage, and distribution of drugs and other medicines in a pharmacy, an on-site inspection was conducted in January 2024 by the NTA, with the assistance of the Sub-Directorate of the Economic Police of Northern Greece (YOAVE), at a pharmacy in the city of Thessaloniki.
During the on-site inspection, the following were identified and documented:
- A total of 1,268 packages of proprietary preparations of non-narcotic substances (Lasix, Salospir, etc.) were found
- In addition, 69 packages of drugs, classified as drugs under the Law on Drugs 3459/2006 (Xanax, Lexotanil), which were confiscated by YOAVE, and the responsible pharmacist was taken into custody as per the legal procedure.
The authentication strips had been removed from the packages of medicines and the medicines had not been delivered to the intended recipients (patients), in violation of the applicable legislation.
Further investigation into these findings revealed that the pharmacist had recorded at least 664 prescriptions containing of medicines (non-drug) and 53 prescriptions containing drugs as "filled" in the electronic platform of Social Security e-Government (IDIKA), without delivering the corresponding medications to the patients for whom they were prescribed.
These prescriptions were submitted by the pharmacist to the National Organisation for Healthcare Services Provision (EOPYY) to be reimbursed in the amount of approximately 10,000 euros in total.
The Audit Report was forwarded to:
- The Athens Appeals Prosecutor’s Office for a criminal assessment of the findings,
- The Disciplinary Pharmaceutical Council of the Central Macedonia Region to seek disciplinary responsibility and impose sanctions on the pharmacist,
- The National Organisation for Healthcare Services Provision (EOPYY) for the imposition of sanctions,
- The National Organization for Medicines (EOF) for assessment of the Audit Report’s findings in relation to ensuring drug safety through traceability and any other necessary actions,
- The competent Directorate of the Central Macedonia Region for utilization of the findings and potential actions regarding the legality of the pharmacy's operation.