2024-05-09 20:08:50
Almost half of SIA Latvian pharmacy pharmacies are located directly in the regions of Latvia, and a large part of them are small pharmacies, which, in addition, perform not only their primary function – the retail sale of medicines, but, as Alvis Ērglis discovered, also a social function, and sometimes the pharmacist even replaces the family doctor in some cases.
Referring to the data for the year 2023, which states that more than 40% of the population in Latvia suffer from long-term health problems and chronic illnesses, he expressed concern that in the current situation it would be problematic to supply these patients with the necessary medications they need not only for maintaining health, but for many also for ensuring vital functions.
Alvis Ārglis said that some of the prescribed prescriptions are not reversed, but taking into account the experience at the beginning of the pandemic, when residents rushed to buy out store shelves, stockpiling food, it is likely that in the event of a crisis, people will also rush to buy any valid prescription medications they have. The demand for medicines whose stocks in pharmacies are not so large will increase, and it will be necessary to turn to wholesalers for additional resources. The question is, will they be able to supply this demand in sufficient quantity?
IS Latvian pharmacy the chairman of the board believes that there should be clear guidelines, what medicines and how much should be in pharmacies’ stocks, as well as a delivery scheme, so that residents even in the most remote regions of the country can feel safe about the availability of medicines.
Stockpiling of medication reserves should be decentralized, because in the event of a crisis, it will be difficult to ensure the supply of quality medicines throughout Latvia if they are concentrated in only one warehouse, which is located, for example, in Riga.
“IS Latvian pharmacy the resource of medicines in pharmacies is greater than before the pandemic, but its provision rests on the shoulders of the company,” said Ārglis, calling on the responsible state authorities to develop a strategy for action in crisis conditions and also to find financial support for providing pharmacies as a component of the crisis infrastructure.
Find out what are the cyber security and other challenges faced by pharmacies in Latvia today, especially in the most remote regions of the country, by watching the video!
2024-05-09 20:08:50