Paphos People

Prescription charges increase as GESY reviews drug categories

After being charged higher prices in pharmacies, patients have complained they were caught unawares by changes in Gesy regulations that mean all prescription items are no longer charged at €1.
The change in prices has come about following a review of the list of medicinal products which came into effect in pharmacies on February 2.
On Monday Gesy issued a statement to say that where only one drug is available it will continue to charge €1 per prescription item.
But if the doctor prescribes another drug, the patient will be charged what is termed Contribution II to cover the cost of the more expensive drug. Changes in the categorisation of drugs has meant that some have moved into a more expensive category.

Read more:-
https://cyprus-mail.com/2020/02/18/prescription-charges-increase-as-gesy-reviews-drug-categories/

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Dave
Moira And Dave

“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”

Still cheap though. OH was in a pharmacy the other day behind someone whose Gesy prescription had run out. They didn't want to wait so said they would pay full price to get them there and then and the cost was just shy of €400! OH got €90 worth of medication for €2!

In brief two comments:

GESY is still in its infancy and had to set charges for consultations, medications, tests etc in order to get the system operational.

Prices of medications throughout the world do not remain fixed eg some become unavailable and another source found which is usually more expensive or the usual supplier no longer stocks the required item or manufacturing cost increases.

I have been waiting since last June for a replacement Epipen/Anapen (injection for anaphylactic shock) and there is a worldwide shortage - no other alternative available apart from getting to A&E - pronto!

Further to my earlier post, but still on the subject of Gesy, I had to get some gynaecological tests done at short notice. Rather than deal with the General hospital as usual, I went to the Well Woman clinic at the Evangelismos. I was able to book an appointment without a referral and an appointment with a consultant, plus a smear test and a mammogram is costing me the total of €16, the same as the General (€6 for the consultation and €10 for the mammogram).

On that basis and other recent experiences I have to say that I am quite impressed with Gesy thus far!

Yes I also need Epi pens ...and I also need a tablet that is out of stock for the foreseeable future to stop me going into anaphylactic shock to my airways and heart ...dangerous situation for me...but uncommon to most people

I ended up buying 6 months worth of tablets that I needed in the uk from an online pharmacy and having them sent to uk address ...and then sent here to Cyprus....I am about to do the same again ...to make sure that I am safe

But I cannot blame GESY ...it is just one of those things

We are a resident nation of less than 1 million people...the government are doing their best to set things up for a NHS ...it is going to require HUGE infrastructure and money to achieve

Brilliant and cannot fault it...well done