A recent survey by Avgi shows that income inequality is growing increasingly sharp putting many at risk of poverty. Citing the national central bank’s annual report, the relative poverty index was assessed to be 19.6% which is higher than the EU average (amounts to 16.8%).

The report also projects that 28.3% of the Greek population faces the risk of poverty and social exclusion: specifying that the most vulnerable groups are the unemployed people, pensioners, and households with dependent children. 

The Gini index for inequality was reported to have increased to reach 32.4% back in 2019. 

Read more: Greece battles a dramatic shortage of medicine

Back in March, The Pharmaceutical Association of Attica (FSA) in Greece cautioned that essential medications are still not readily available on pharmacy shelves, the daily Avgi reported.

The Union of Public Hospital Employees issued a warning about the nation's low hospital bed density—3.5 beds per 100,000 inhabitants compared to the EU average of 5.3 beds per 100,000—which puts it below several other EU nations.

Inflation and the rising energy prices crisis have also added to the burdens of pharmaceutical firms, affecting the availability of supplies.

Read more: Economic failure of EU unavoidable: Greece's Varoufakis