Doctors’ Associations in Eastern Macedonia–Thrace criticize expanded vaccination authority for pharmacists
Medical associations in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace have strongly criticized a new regulation allowing pharmacists broader access to Greece’s National Adult Vaccination Registry through the electronic health governance platform (ΗΔΙΚΑ).
The updated system enables pharmacists to administer and register a wider range of vaccines, including pneumococcal and shingles vaccines, as well as manage more complex immunization schedules.
In a joint statement, regional medical associations argued that such responsibilities require detailed clinical assessment, including full patient history, evaluation of contraindications, and individualized medical decision-making—tasks they say must remain under the supervision of licensed physicians.
They stressed that patients with underlying conditions or belonging to high-risk groups require medical oversight by doctors who follow their cases, particularly when complex vaccination protocols are involved.
Call for Clear Role Boundaries in Primary Care
The associations emphasized that strengthening public health should not come through overlapping professional roles, but rather through clearly defined responsibilities and effective cooperation between healthcare professionals, particularly physicians and pharmacists, who they described as key pillars of primary healthcare.
They called on the Greek government and the Ministry of Health to reconsider the implementation framework for complex vaccination programs, insisting that evaluation, indication, and clinical management must remain under the responsibility of the treating physician.
“Harnessing public health protection requires scientific responsibility, institutional clarity, and mutual respect for the distinct roles of healthcare professionals,” the statement concluded.
The doctors’ associations also highlighted the importance of collaboration across all health sectors in the interest of patient safety and effective healthcare delivery.
