New opening hours for pharmacies from November 1st

Minister of Health Mr.Loverdos gave a press conference today, where he announce the complete deregulation of the profession of pharmacists. Pharmacies all over the country from now on will operate with new opening hours and with afternoon working hours on Monday and Wednesday, as well as on Saturday mornings.

The decision states that 30% of the pharmacies in every area will be obliged to be open. In a case of an inspection by authorities, when one of the pharmacies which are supposed to be open is closed, the pharmacist will lose their licence for a month.

According to the Minister, the number of permits and licences for opening pharmacies was not high this year. As he mentioned, 800 new permits were issued and in regards to pharmacies merging, only 300 pharmacists took advantage of the measure.