The Joint Ministerial Decision of the Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis and the Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Thanasis Petralias on “Military Pharmacy overnight duty and home delivery of high-cost medicines to active duty military personnel and their dependents” was promulgated in the Government Gazette (GG B 6479/2025).
These arrangements are part of the “Agenda 2030” reform and help improve the quality of healthcare services provided to Armed Forces personnel, focusing on vulnerable groups. As the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias pointed out during the introduction of L. 5195/2025 “Regulation of Medical Matters of the Armed Forces and Other Provisions”, “the goal is to have the best healthcare services for the most powerful Armed Forces our Country has ever seen”.
The Joint Ministerial Decision, which consists of seven (7) articles, regulates Military Pharmacy Overnight Duty on a rotating basis; and the criteria, territorial jurisdiction, service hours, requirements, and process for home delivery of high-cost medicines. It is clarified that on-duty Military Pharmacies will serve all Military Hospitals and healthcare recipients, without any territorial restrictions.
More specifically, the Joint Ministerial Decision states that the Military Pharmacy duty rotation is scheduled upon decision of the Director of the Medical Directorate of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS).
Furthermore, it defines the criteria for Military Pharmacy duty rotation, as well as their duty schedule and overnight service hours:
1. Military Pharmacies are on overnight duty every four (4) days on a rotating basis. The duty rotation schedule is prepared by the HNDGS/Medical Directorate and is posted on the websites of the HNDGS, the Hellenic Army General Staff (HAGS), the Hellenic Navy General Staff (HNGS), and the Hellenic Air Force General Staff (HAFGS).
2. On-duty Military Pharmacy service hours for healthcare recipients are Monday to Thursday, 15:00 to 07:00 of the following day, Friday 15:00 to 08:00 of Saturday, and Saturday – Sunday 09:00 to 08:00 of the following day or 07:00 of the following working day.
3. The maximum number of overnight duty days per Military Pharmacy per calendar month is eight (8).
The Decision also regulates the requirements for home delivery of high-cost medicines and the relevant process.
