"This is a union matter and, as such, the Ministry will not intervene," said the Director of the Pharmaceutical Services of the Ministry of Health, Dr Elena Panayiotopoulou, when contacted regarding pharmacy opening hours. She clarified, however, that at the next meeting of the Pharmacy Board, the date of which has not yet been set, the request for an increase in the number of extended-duty pharmacies and the determination of their number per municipality will be raised. This falls within the Ministry's remit, given that the Pharmacy Board includes, among others, representatives of the public service.
The composition of the Pharmacy Board
According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Law (Cap. 254), the Pharmacy Board consists of:
- Three registered pharmacists holding posts in the Public Service of the Republic, appointed by the Council of Ministers.
- Four registered pharmacists nominated by the Council of the Pharmaceutical Body and appointed by the Council of Ministers.
The presence of state representatives on the Board allows the Ministry of Health to place matters of public interest on the agenda, without intervening in the internal procedures of the profession.
Website upgrade and proposal for a mobile application
As part of a broader upgrade of the services provided, the Pharmaceutical Services are planning to upgrade their online presence. At the same time, Dr Panayiotopoulou agrees on the usefulness of a mobile application that would provide information to both residents and tourists on the location of pharmacies, their opening hours, and the extended-duty and night-duty pharmacies, not only in urban and tourist areas, some of which operate on flexible hours, but also in villages. According to her, it is an excellent idea that could and should be implemented, as part of the qualitative upgrade of the services provided.
Complaints of night pharmacies inactive after 11pm
On behalf of the Pancyprian Federation of Patients' Associations, honorary President Marios Kouloumas stated that complaints have been submitted to the Cyprus Pharmaceutical Association (CPA) regarding pharmacists who, after 11 at night, do not answer the telephone, effectively abolishing the night-duty system.
The President of the CPA, Ploutarchos Georgiades, in a radio interview with Andri Daniel on Politis radio, maintained that the existing system meets citizens' needs. The only opening left by Mr Georgiades concerned exclusively the extended-duty pharmacies, which he clarified are selected on geographical criteria so that different areas are served, claiming that after 23:00 the pharmacist on duty remains on standby, provides assistance by telephone and can reach the pharmacy within ten minutes.
Correction: The report of Monday 06/06/2026 incorrectly stated that there are no pharmacies in Pyrgos Tillirias. Two pharmacies operate on flexible hours in the area.
