Significant results for the 2024–2025 period were presented by the Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Technology (IFET) during its New Year’s cake-cutting event, through a brief review delivered by the Organization’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Eleftheria Tokatlidi, in the presence of the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr. Nikitas Kaklamanis, the Minister of Health, Mr. Adonis Georgiadis, the Deputy Minister of Health, Mr. Marios Themistokleous, the Secretary General for Strategic Planning of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Aris Angelis, the President of the National Organization for Medicines (EOF), Mr. Spyros Sapounas, the Secretary General for Migration Policy and former President of IFET, Ms. Konstantina Papakosta, the Deputy Vice President of SFEE, Mr. Kostas Panagoulis, the Executive Board Member of PEF, Mr. Vasilis Pentafragkas, the Vice President of the Greek Rare Diseases Association, Mr. Dimitris Athanasiou, the Non-Executive Chairwoman of EOPYY, Ms. Vasiliki-Konstantina Gogkozotou, the Pharmaceutical Policy Advisor to the Minister of Health, Mr. Babis Karathanos, the Director General of SFEE, Mr. Michalis Cheimonas, the Second Vice President of EOF, Mr. Ilias Gouzouasis, the President of SHP, Mr. Christos Iatrou, the Head of Public Affairs of the Greek Patients’ Association, Mr. Anastasios Samouilidis, the President of EAAFAX, Ms. Flora Bakopoulou, the President of EKAPTY, Ms. Dimitra Pappa, the President of the Panhellenic Association of Patients with Neurofibromatosis, Ms. Lambrini Sotiropoulou, the President of EETAA, Mr. Dimitris Maravelias, hospital administrators, as well as many representatives of institutional bodies, patient associations, pharmaceutical companies, and pharmaceutical warehouses from across the country.

As she noted, over the past two years IFET has undergone a substantial transformation in the way it operates, with the aim of ensuring uninterrupted patient access to necessary and unique therapies, reducing shortages, and rationalizing pharmaceutical expenditure.

In his address, the Minister of Health stated, among other things: “IFET is a model public organization. And that in itself is a major achievement.”

More specifically, according to Ms. Tokatlidi, during the 2024–2025 period:

• medicines with zero or marginal stock were reduced from 112 to just 8,
• delivery times were cut from 2–4 months to 7–10 days in most cases,
• the number of patients (AMKA holders) covered by specialized and innovative therapies doubled,
• access was provided to 160 new therapies approved by the EMA and FDA,
• 219 new medicines were imported into the country, while more than 850 different products are currently distributed, mainly for rare diseases.

Particular emphasis was placed on the field of rare diseases, where IFET reaffirmed its role as a key pillar of the National Health System. In 2025, 69% of the Organization’s total sales concerned orphan drugs, marking a 52% increase compared to 2024, reflecting the coverage of real and growing needs.

Greater access with cost control

At the same time, enhanced access was accompanied by substantial expenditure control. During 2024–2025, an average price reduction of 18% was achieved, generating total savings of more than €78 million for the Public Health System, without any compromise in the quality or availability of therapies.

It is noteworthy that 91% of IFET’s turnover concerns individual treatments involving unique medicines from abroad that are not available on the Greek market, while access was also provided to more than 50 medicines with exclusive FDA approval, which were not reimbursed in other European countries.

A change in the operating model

These results were supported by an overall change in IFET’s operating model:

• strengthening the Organization’s credibility and negotiating power,
• partnerships with more than 215 accredited suppliers,
• the use of digital forecasting and procurement tools,
• the operation of the Dynamic Purchasing System since June 2025, which enhanced transparency and healthy competition.

At the same time, IFET’s Research Laboratory was upgraded, with the goal of evolving into a national hub for pharmaceutical research, as was the Irradiation Unit in Magoula, which now features a modern industrial irradiator for medical devices.

Targets for 2026

Looking ahead, IFET has set the following key goals for 2026:

• eliminating critical shortages,
• providing even faster access to therapies,
• further strengthening its production and digital infrastructure,
• and launching a new digital platform for better patient information and service.

Closing the review, IFET CEO Ms. Eleftheria Tokatlidi, after first warmly thanking the Minister of Health, Mr. Adonis Georgiadis, for his steady and substantial support and trust in our work, the Secretary General for Strategic Planning, Dr. Aris Angelis, as well as the President of EOF, Mr. Spyros Sapounas, for the excellent cooperation we have, stated χαρακτηριστικά:

“The progress in Health is the result of coordination and a shared direction, and effective cooperation confirms this every day.

Our purpose is one: for IFET to remain a stable, reliable, and modern Public Organization that guarantees that no patient will be left uncovered because their medicine is difficult to find or unavailable on the Greek market. That is, after all, our motto: ‘Our priority is the patient.’ We now purchase at the lowest prices in Europe.

Over the past two years, we have proven that the public sector can operate quickly, in a modern way, with transparency and effectiveness. This is a victory, and we must preserve and expand it.”

From the IFET Press Office