Mr. Dionysis Filiotis, President of Pharmaserv-Lilly, opened the anniversary event marking 150 years since the founding of Lilly and 32 years of Pharmaserv-Lilly, highlighting the significance of history as a foundation for shaping the future of the industry. “Lilly’s history is great and impressive. Of those 150 years, I have lived the last 52 from the inside — and they were, and continue to be, the most extraordinary,” he said.
“150 years of Lilly”: The remarks of Dionysis Filiotis
“Lilly’s history is great and impressive. Of those 150 years, I have lived the last 52 from the inside — and they were, and continue to be, the most extraordinary,” said Dionysis Filiotis. “My collaboration with the company began in 1974. After a decade of hard work, in 1984 my partners and I founded Pharmaserv Hellas and were entrusted with the exclusive representation of Lilly in Greece.
The success was immediate and impressive. Ten years later, Lilly proposed the creation of a joint venture, and Pharmaserv-Lilly was born — a partnership unique in its kind worldwide, which continues uninterrupted with great success, offering patients and healthcare professionals significant innovative therapeutic solutions, in service of the promise ‘To make life better for people.’
“Pharmaserv-Lilly has risen to become one of the leading pharmaceutical companies operating in our country and, according to IQVIA data, is the market leader in pharmaceuticals, both in retail pharmacies and pharmaceutical wholesalers. Today, alongside Lilly’s 150 years, we also celebrate the 32 years of Pharmaserv-Lilly.”
He went on to emphasize: “Our collaboration is built on shared values, trust, and a steadfast commitment to science and the patient. Through this journey, we have made a meaningful contribution to improving access to innovative therapies and supporting the healthcare system.”
The presence of Patrik Jonsson
The event was given special weight by the presence of Mr. Patrik Jonsson, President of Lilly International, who visited Greece as part of the global anniversary celebrations, underscoring the importance of the Greek market to the company’s international operations. In his address, Mr. Jonsson highlighted Lilly’s enduring mission, noting that: “Innovation and scientific progress are core pillars of the company’s strategy, with a focus on improving the lives of patients.”
Adonis Georgiadis: “This great company continuously strengthens its presence”
The anniversary event was honored by the presence of the Minister of Health, Mr. Adonis Georgiadis, who said in his address: “What a great honor it is to be here today as the Minister of Health of Greece, and to address the 150-year legacy of this enormous company — which, in the time it has spent creating and discovering treatments, has literally changed the lives of millions of people, perhaps even hundreds of millions, to be entirely accurate.”
Mr. Georgiadis referred to insulin, which was first made commercially available by Lilly and transformed the course of the disease — turning it from a fatal condition into a chronic, manageable one — as well as to Lilly’s more recent innovative therapeutic solutions, such as its treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. He continued: “It is therefore of great importance to us that this great company continuously strengthens its presence in our country, serving the needs of our patients.”
Kostis Hatzidakis: “A model of success”
Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Kostis Hatzidakis, speaking at the anniversary, said: “Many happy returns, with success and progress ahead. Pharmaserv-Lilly is a model of success in the pharmaceutical industry in our country — a success belonging to Mr. Filiotis himself, his family, and the company’s executives and employees, whom I have visited on numerous occasions and seen firsthand the dedication of its people.”
The President of the National Organization for Medicines (EOF), Mr. Spyros Sapounas, addressed in his remarks the importance of the innovation that Lilly brings, as well as the role of the EOF in the fight against counterfeit medicines and in safeguarding patient safety. Pharmaserv-Lilly’s Vice President and General Manager, Mr. Spyros Filiotis, stated: “We are the second generation of Pharmaserv-Lilly, and we guarantee its future. We are committed to making all our colleagues proud — those who worked so hard to bring our company to the position it holds today.”
The event was attended by representatives of the government, healthcare organizations, the medical and scientific community, patient associations, the media, and the company’s partners — confirming Pharmaserv-Lilly’s strong footprint in Greece and its role within the broader healthcare ecosystem.
Who attended
Among those who honored the event with their speeches and presence were:
- Yannis Stournaras – Governor of the Bank of Greece
- Zoe Rapti – Member of Parliament for Athens B’
- Gerasimos Siasos – Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA)
- Giorgos Patoulis – President of the Athens Medical Association
- Apostolos Valtas – President of the Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association
- Dionysios Evgenidis – Chairman of the Board of the Pharmaceutical Association of Thessaloniki
- Giorgos Chrousos – Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics and Endocrinology
- Thanos Askitis – Doctor of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA)
The anniversary event also highlighted Lilly’s strategic direction for the future, with emphasis on:
- continued investment in research and development
- the development of innovative therapeutic solutions
- and improving patient access to modern treatments
