2024-07-04 03:42:06
If the model of medicine mark-up planned by the Ministry of Health, which does not take into account the suggestions of industry experts and representatives, comes into force, the availability of medicine for residents of rural regions of Latvia may be significantly hindered. Some of the regional pharmacies will be closed, the remaining ones may have to reduce working hours and pay for pharmacists.
The medicine mark-up model prepared by the Ministry of Health does not assess the importance of the services provided by the pharmacist and will not contribute to the provision of quality pharmaceutical care services. The proposed model will put additional pressure on promoting the sale of over-the-counter and dietary supplements in pharmacies and reduce the role of the pharmacist as a consultant.
The Association of Pharmacies tried to actively cooperate with its suggestions in the development of the new medicine mark-up model, in the hope that it will be able to promote the work of individual pharmacies in the regions, providing high-quality pharmaceutical care services in Latvian cities and towns, as well as in the countryside.
“We expected from the ministry that compromise solutions would be found so that the changes would be balanced and would both benefit the Latvian population with a reduction in drug prices, and also allow pharmacies to continue working without worsening their financial situation and without threatening their existence,” says A. Ritene.
However, the recommendations of the Association of Pharmacies have not been taken into account, compromises have not been found and the proposed mark-up model creates great risks for the existence of individual pharmacies and further strengthens the positions of vertically integrated structures in the market. Pharmacy branches and small pharmacies in rural regions will be the first to be closed, as they do not have the back of supermarkets.
Drug wholesale companies are likely to optimize the delivery of drugs to more remote regions, and local residents will have to wait a longer period of time for the delivery of the necessary drugs.
The Pharmacy Association was founded in 2009, and its members are 30 individual pharmacy companies that maintain more than 22 pharmacy branches in sparsely populated areas.
2024-07-04 03:42:06