On his part, Bahr said talks with his Greek counterpart had been good and that progress had been made. "The first successes have now become apparent. The cost of medication has been lowered," he said, adding that he had personally intervened with the appropriate pharmaceutical firms in Germany, to ensure they abode by their commitments in this respect. He also noted that the structural reforms being carried out are absolutely essential in order for Greece to be able to provide European-level health services to its citizens. Ministry of Health: Press Release (in Greek)