In expanding the sale of over-the-counter medicines, there is a risk of repeating the mistakes made in Sweden, which have undermined rational medical treatment.
This is the assessment of the Association of Pharmacists, which recently commented on the work group set up by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health published on Thursday, October 3 report on the sale of over-the-counter medicines outside pharmacies.
The pharmaceutical director of Apteekkariliiut Inka Puumalainen recalls Sweden’s experiences:
“The expansion of sales channels has led to a strong increase in the sale and use of over-the-counter medicines, and consumers spend significantly more money on them than before the expansion.”
The working group’s report states, among other things, that the expansion of sales could be implemented either as part of a broader overall reform of pharmacy regulation or as a separate reform of the distribution channel.
Puumalainen reminds that the expansion of points of sale does not in principle support rational medical treatment, but if you have to choose, the first mentioned method would be better.
“Just because it would be possible to make a genuine overall assessment of the changes regarding the pharmacy economy and the nationwide pharmacy network.”
The services deteriorate, the load increases
In Liito, Apteekkiverko is feared to shrink, especially in remote areas, even if sales are expanded even partially.
Puumalainen reminds that pharmacies have been hit with big cuts in recent years, and the finances of many small pharmacies in particular are already at stake.
“Over-the-counter medicines are really important to the economy of pharmacies, and moving their sales outside the pharmacy can be the last straw, as it were.
“If the price tag for increasing sales is the deterioration of pharmacy services in remote areas, it may eventually affect the availability of prescription drugs as well,” continues Puumalainen.
As pharmacy services weaken in remote areas, health care will become even more burdened, the union thinks.
Puumalainen reminds of the recent one ordered by the union from the reportaccording to which the pharmaceutical counseling provided by pharmacies in the field of self-care achieves savings of hundreds of millions of euros in welfare areas.
“Doctors estimate that if pharmacies did not provide this advice, the number of doctor visits in public healthcare could increase by up to a fifth.”
The proposal on expanding the sale of over-the-counter medicines will be submitted to parliament in the fall of 2025. Its scope and content will be included in political decision-making during this fall.