Frequently Asked Questions

The Institute of Pharmaceutical Research & Technology (IFET M.A.E.) is a subsidiary of the “National Organization of Medicines” (N.O.F.) and is mainly active in the Production, Importation and Distribution of pharmaceutical products which are not marketed in the Greek market by pharmaceutical companies, but are considered absolutely necessary and irreplaceable for the treatment of patients and the protection of Public Health.

The Institute of Pharmaceutical Research & Technology (IFET M.A.E.) undertakes mainly the emergency import of medicines to cover therapeutic gaps, following a relevant assignment by the H.O.F. and other bodies. Annually, IFT imports about 850 different medicines (3,000,000 pieces), which are not marketed in Greece, in various pharmaceutical forms. These belong to three categories: Emergency Coverage, Special Hospital Orders, Individual Orders. In addition, IFET is a Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH) for those formulations it produces.

Emergency Coverage medicines are medicines that are either not available or have ceased to be available in the Greek market (temporarily or completely). They are imported mainly from European countries and from wherever else they are available after a relevant import permit from the EOF in specific quantities and for a specific period of coverage. They address the needs of Nursing Institutions / Private Clinics, EOPYY Pharmacies and Pharmacies.

The Emergency Coverage medicines are for the needs of Nursing Institutions / Private Clinics, EOPYY Pharmacies and Pharmacies. Therefore, Emergency Covered Medicines are not distributed directly to Private Pharmacies by the IFET. Their distribution to retail/wholesale (distribution through Private Pharmacies) is exclusively through Pharmacies

Special Hospital Order medicines are defined as proprietary products to be imported and made available only to Nursing Institutions / Private Clinics, either exclusively for a specific patient or for the needs of a clinic as a whole. They refer to innovative medicinal products which: 1) are not authorised in Greece, but have a marketing authorisation in an EU Member State, the EEA or the USA, or 2) are authorised in Greece, but have been discontinued by the responsible company and are not imported by the IFET as Emergency Covered Medicines.

Special Hospital Orders are requested to the IFET only by the Pharmacist in charge of the Hospital/Private Clinic (Hospital Drug Order Request, for a specific patient or for the needs of the clinic). The IFET then forwards the file to the EMEA for approval. After the approval of the EOF, the IFET starts the process of importing the medicine from abroad. Once the drug is received, the IFET informs the Hospital Pharmacy of the availability of the drug.

Individual Orders medicines are exclusively for the individual use of a specific patient and are available only at EOPYY Pharmacies & Private Pharmacies. The need to import them from the IFET is due to the fact that they are not available in Greece, while they are approved in other countries (EU and non-EU). Individual orders are accepted when submitted by EOPYY Pharmacies or Private Pharmacies and accompanied by the relevant documents.

There are two ways of submitting Individual Orders, either from EOPYY Pharmacies or from Private Pharmacies. The submission of an Individual Order Request through an EHIC Pharmacy is for the case of reimbursement of the treatment. Otherwise, if the reimbursement of the treatment is not made through the EHIC then the submission of the Individual Order is made through a Private Pharmacy.

The submission of Individual Request Orders through an EOPYY Pharmacy is made for the case of reimbursement of the treatment. The attending physician applies electronically through the unified Electronic Preauthorisation System (EAP) for foreign medicines that are not available in Greece, for the needs of a specific patient. The electronic management and examination of requests regarding the necessity of reimbursement of medicines by the EOPYY is carried out through the EAP. At the same time, the EOF decides whether to allow the distribution of the product in Greece if the conditions are met. Then – and after the EOF & EOPYY have completed the approval process of the individual order file – an import order is sent to the IFET. The IFET, after investigation, informs the EOPYY of the timing of the availability of the medicine.