ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece is already seeing its first strike of the year, with pharmacists and doctors walking off the job to protest health sector reforms that include cuts in drug prices.
Pharmacists across the country began a 48-hour strike Monday to protest government plans to trim their profits by cutting the retail prices of drugs. They are also demanding payment of hundreds of thousands of euros owed by social insurance funds.
State hospital doctors started a four-day strike, objecting to government reforms to the state health system. The doctors were to be present at work but would be treating only emergency cases.
Greece has been surviving on international rescue loans since May 2010. It is negotiating the details of a second bailout.
