Healthcare industry

Citizens will be able to choose doctors not contracted to the National Organization for Healthcare Services Provision (EOPYY), taking on the cost of reimbursement for these services, according to a proposal submitted to Parliament on Wednesday.

The Ministerial Decision defining the terms, conditions and procedure for the possibility of private practice for doctors, dentists and medical specialists of the National Health Service signed by the Minister of Health , Adonis Georgiades and the Deputy Minister of Health, Marios Themistocleous.

Life is becoming fast with the passage of time, and most of you out there have little time to focus on your health. The result is that we end up compromising on our health, and diseases are increasing with every passing day.

Pensioners held a protest rally at Kotzia Square in central Athens Friday to denounce cuts to their pensions and demand better healthcare. More specifically, retirees called for free public healthcare without preconditions and prerequisites, and the immediate hiring of doctors and nursing staff to cover vacancies at public hospitals.

Supreme Court President Vassiliki Thanou on Tuesday ordered an investigation into claims made last week by chief corruption prosecutor Eleni Raikou when she resigned from her post.

Justice Minister Dimitris Kontonis on Tuesday called for an investigation into alleged corruption by Novartis to be speeded up following the suicide attempt in Athens of an executive of the Swiss pharmaceutical giant.

The unnamed manager tried to jump off the balcony of the roof bar of the Hilton Hotel on New Year's Day, but was thwarted by police called in by staff.

An anonymous whistleblower has accused Swiss drug maker Novartis of paying bribes in Turkey through a consulting firm to secure business advantages worth an estimated $85 million, according to a Feb. 17 e-mail seen by Reuters.

Israeli pharmaceutical giant Teva said on July 27 that it was buying the generic drug business of Allergan for $40.5 billion, consolidating its position as a world leader in generics.

Teva will pay $33.75 billion in cash and offer $6.75 billion of its stock to Allergan, the company said, in a major move that will further shake up the industry.