Pharmacies open during the day: This definition establishes the operating hours of pharmacies, a fact that has been sparking strong reactions among pharmacy owners for years. Plutarchos Georgiadis, President of the Pan-Cyprian Pharmaceutical Association, explained on the Alpha News program that pharmacy operating hours are set by ministerial decree. Pharmacies operating on a two-day rotation remain open after regular pharmacy hours end, until 10 p.m. in the winter and until 11 p.m. in the summer. During this time, they serve patients with a doctor’s prescription.
Since the implementation of the General Healthcare System (GESY), the number of pharmacies open on a daily basis has increased in the cities as follows:
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
- Nicosia 6
- Limassol 5
- Larnaca 4
- Paphos 2
- Chrysochous 1
- Famagusta 2
Mr. Georgiadis pointed out that similar hours of operation apply in all European countries, with the difference that there are no tourist areas with extended operating hours, as is the case in Cyprus.
“In London, for example, which is a prime tourist destination, you won’t find a pharmacy open to serve tourists. In Ayia Napa and Protaras, there are pharmacies that don’t have business all year round, so their hours were extended.”
Cyprus ranks first among EU member states in terms of the number of pharmacies per capita. In other countries, there is one pharmacy for every 3,300 residents, while in Cyprus there is one pharmacy for every 800 residents.
