Philenews

Cyprus Health Insurance Authority to End Public Disclosure of Patient Data

Published January 20, 2026, 05:13
Cyprus Health Insurance Authority to End Public Disclosure of Patient Data

The Cyprus Health Insurance Authority (HIO) is preparing to introduce changes to how pharmacists access patient data under the General Healthcare System (Gesy), aiming to protect privacy. The current practice of verbally or publicly disclosing names, identification numbers, and dates of birth has raised concerns among citizens, who fear potential misuse of their data. The HIO is considering three methods, with one in advanced stages of implementation: using barcodes or QR codes on prescriptions, allowing pharmacists to match the code with the patient's electronic file. For this to work, beneficiaries must activate their electronic file and use the Beneficiary Portal via mobile. Simultaneously, the use of the “Digital Citizen” for beneficiary identification is being explored. The process is expected to improve data security and reduce the risk of abuse.