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Greek Pharmacy: 'People Will Die Without Drugs'

Greek Pharmacy: 'People Will Die Without Drugs'

Mary, who works for a pharmacy in Greece, has told Sky News that the economic crisis has left the health of many ill people in jeopardy.

She warned that people could die without their medicine, which most have paid towards through taxes all of their working lives.

Her warning came as Greece looks set to default on a €1.55bn debt repayment due to the IMF on Tuesday .

"The public pharmacies give very expensive medicines to people who have insurance," she said.

"These drugs treat serious illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, cancer and HIV.

"Suddenly, on 27 June, the media said we have a referendum and all the banks must be closed for the next week.

"And now what? How can we pay the pharmaceutical companies?

"What can we say to the people waiting in the queues for three or four hours that some negotiators failed on their negotiations? This is hilarious.

"Someone who has paid taxes to the state is suddenly left without the services they've paid towards.

"The lack of medicine is a really important issue because people without the right treatment can die in a few weeks.

"These people struggle every day, they deserve dignity and respect.

"There is no obvious solution. No-one knows. Some of them are crying. What can we do?"