Restrictions to Pharmacy Ownership and Vertical Integration in Estonia—Perception of Different Stakeholders
Objectives: From 2020, the ownership of community pharmacies in Estonia will be limited to the pharmacy profession, and the vertical integration of wholesale companies and community pharmacies will not be allowed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of different stakeholders in prim...
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doaj-ce4b5ac2569c46d4ac053b4594c926282020-11-24T23:07:09ZengMDPI AGPharmacy2226-47872016-04-01421810.3390/pharmacy4020018pharmacy4020018Restrictions to Pharmacy Ownership and Vertical Integration in Estonia—Perception of Different StakeholdersMarit Gross0Daisy Volmer1Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, 1 Nooruse Str, Tartu 50411, EstoniaInstitute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, 1 Nooruse Str, Tartu 50411, EstoniaObjectives: From 2020, the ownership of community pharmacies in Estonia will be limited to the pharmacy profession, and the vertical integration of wholesale companies and community pharmacies will not be allowed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of different stakeholders in primary healthcare toward the new regulations of the community pharmacy sector in Estonia. Methods: A qualitative electronic survey was distributed to the main stakeholders in primary healthcare and higher education institutions providing pharmacy education (n = 40) in May 2015. For data analysis, the systematic text condensation method was used. Results: The study participants described two opposing positions regarding the development of community pharmacies in the future. Reform supporters emphasized increased professional independence and more healthcare-oriented operation of community pharmacies. Reform opponents argued against these ideas as community pharmacists do not have sufficient practical experience and finances to ensure sustainable development of the community pharmacy sector in Estonia. Conclusion: Based on the current perception of all respondents, the future operation of the community pharmacy sector in Estonia is unclear and there is urgent need for implementation criteria for the new regulations.http://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/4/2/18pharmaceutical policyrestrictionsownership of community pharmaciesvertical integrationEstonia |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Marit Gross Daisy Volmer |
spellingShingle |
Marit Gross Daisy Volmer Restrictions to Pharmacy Ownership and Vertical Integration in Estonia—Perception of Different Stakeholders Pharmacy pharmaceutical policy restrictions ownership of community pharmacies vertical integration Estonia |
author_facet |
Marit Gross Daisy Volmer |
author_sort |
Marit Gross |
title |
Restrictions to Pharmacy Ownership and Vertical Integration in Estonia—Perception of Different Stakeholders |
title_short |
Restrictions to Pharmacy Ownership and Vertical Integration in Estonia—Perception of Different Stakeholders |
title_full |
Restrictions to Pharmacy Ownership and Vertical Integration in Estonia—Perception of Different Stakeholders |
title_fullStr |
Restrictions to Pharmacy Ownership and Vertical Integration in Estonia—Perception of Different Stakeholders |
title_full_unstemmed |
Restrictions to Pharmacy Ownership and Vertical Integration in Estonia—Perception of Different Stakeholders |
title_sort |
restrictions to pharmacy ownership and vertical integration in estonia—perception of different stakeholders |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Pharmacy |
issn |
2226-4787 |
publishDate |
2016-04-01 |
description |
Objectives: From 2020, the ownership of community pharmacies in Estonia will be limited to the pharmacy profession, and the vertical integration of wholesale companies and community pharmacies will not be allowed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of different stakeholders in primary healthcare toward the new regulations of the community pharmacy sector in Estonia. Methods: A qualitative electronic survey was distributed to the main stakeholders in primary healthcare and higher education institutions providing pharmacy education (n = 40) in May 2015. For data analysis, the systematic text condensation method was used. Results: The study participants described two opposing positions regarding the development of community pharmacies in the future. Reform supporters emphasized increased professional independence and more healthcare-oriented operation of community pharmacies. Reform opponents argued against these ideas as community pharmacists do not have sufficient practical experience and finances to ensure sustainable development of the community pharmacy sector in Estonia. Conclusion: Based on the current perception of all respondents, the future operation of the community pharmacy sector in Estonia is unclear and there is urgent need for implementation criteria for the new regulations. |
topic |
pharmaceutical policy restrictions ownership of community pharmacies vertical integration Estonia |
url |
http://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/4/2/18 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT maritgross restrictionstopharmacyownershipandverticalintegrationinestoniaperceptionofdifferentstakeholders AT daisyvolmer restrictionstopharmacyownershipandverticalintegrationinestoniaperceptionofdifferentstakeholders |
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