Galery

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Today at 7 p.m., the Greek parliament will vote on a law for the liberalization of the most important sectors of the Greek economy. Reforms are part of the agreement between the government and the country's creditors and mandatory for the transfer of the next financial aid tranche. However, reforms are facing huge resistance on the part of the trade unions of affected industries. All Greek trade unions are organizing a large protest at 6.30 p.m. in Syntagma Square in front of the parliament.

The liberalization of the market will lead to direct changes in the everyday life of Greeks. A lot of their habits will change, since the measures affect both basic and secondary sectors of life.

Services in the pharmaceutical and the food sector (milk and bread, for example) are expected to be substantially reformed.

Pharmacies will be allowed to open even in supermarkets or other stores. Therefore, the minimum required area of a pharmacy will be reduced from 30 to 5m².

In parallel, pharmacies will be able to work next to each other, since the requirement for a distance between them will be annulled. The common selling price for drugs without a prescription will also be cancelled. A common maximum price will apply by the end of 2016, and as of 1 January 2017 the price will be fully liberated.

The change in the bread sector is associated with the obligation of bakeries to sell bread after weighing it in front of the client. Furthermore, other food and beverages stores which comply with health regulations and have permission will also be able to sell bread. Bakers are exempt from the obligation to have stocks of flour, salt and fuel.

As to the hot topic of milk, three categories of milk are provided: pasteurized (to last up to 5 days), high-temperature processed milk and milk of the day (must be pasteurized in advance, within 24 hours after its collection and used within 2 days after that).

MEDICINES

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1 Medicines in supermarkets

Pharmacies will be allowed to open even in supermarkets or other stores. Therefore, the minimum required area of a pharmacy will be reduced from 30 to 5m². They will be open for the same working hours of the store.

2 Free working hours

Each pharmacy will be allowed to work according to the wishes of its owner six days a week, except on Sunday.

3 No common selling price for drugs without a prescription

The common selling price for drugs without a prescription will also be cancelled. A common maximum price will apply by the end of 2016, and as of 1 January 2017 the price will be fully liberated and everybody will sell at a preferred price.

4 Open your own pharmacy!

Anybody who wants to buy or establish a pharmacy can freely do so, with the only obligation being to cooperate with a licensed pharmacist. Until today, there was a restriction according to which 50% of the pharmacy had to be owned by a pharmacist.

5 Pharmacy chains

The way for the creation of chains of pharmacies will be opened - every pharmacist will be able to open more than one pharmacy.

6 Pharmacies on every corner

Pharmacies can be opened everywhere, even next to each other; there is no limit to the number of non-hospital pharmacies. However, more pharmacies than the existing ones in each municipality cannot be opened.

7 Buying over the internet

Citizens will be able to buy vitamins and supplements over the network.

DETERGENTS

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8 Exemptions from charges

The requirement for firms to inform the State Chemical Laboratory regarding the chemical composition of the detergent is cancelled. Now, a quick information email is enough. Also, they will be exempt from the fee for this notification. According to the Ministry, the implementation of the measure will maintain prices.

MILK

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9 Three new categories

There will be three new categories of milk: pasteurized (to last up to 5 days), high-temperature processed milk and milk of the day (must be pasteurized in advance, within 24 hours after its collection and used within 2 days after that).

10 Milk of the day

There will be a new category, milk of the day, which will last within 2 days after pasteurization.

11 Indicator of durability

These three categories will have indicators of durability - such as "milk for seven days", "milk for six days," etc. A sign of Greek origin will be introduced if companies produce milk in the country.

FUELS

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12 Petrol on highways

Fuels will be allowed to be sold at highway petrol stations.

OLIVE OIL

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13 Larger packages

Larger packages will be allowed because of savings - 10, 20, 25 and 50 litres. However, they will be only available for restaurants, hotels, canteens, etc.

MAXIMUM PRICES

14 What will happen to the coffee "monopoly"?