Greek pharmacies strike over bailout measures

Pharmacists in Greece launched a five-day strike Thursday to protest measures agreed between the government and international creditors to liberalize the sector, dpa reported. More than 12,000 pharmacists are demanding the government refrain from drafting legislation which would deregulate pharmacy licenses and create pharmacy chains and outlets in supermarkets. The European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last week agreed on the release long-delayed emergency loans after seven months of negotiations. Greece has been granted 240 billion euros (330 billion dollars) in bailout loans since 2010. In exchange, it is required to cut public spending and implement economic reforms.