Pharmacists’ talks with government fail to resolve deadlock

Health Minister Andreas Xanthos on Monday failed to ease opposition from pharmacy unionists against government plans to change ownership rules for pharmacies.

Pharmacists across the country launched 24-hour rolling strikes Monday in protest at the measures included in Greece’s bailout agreement, which would also enable non-pharmacists to open stores.

Speaking after the talks, Constantinos Lourantos, president of the Association of Attica Pharmacies, warned that “strike action will intensify.”

Meanwhile, the health minister said that the government would continue negotiations with the country’s lenders regarding the content of a joint ministerial decision on the question of ownership.