Comparative characteristics of the functioning of pharmacy institutions in Ukraine and the countries of the European Economic Area

Abstract

A pharmacy is a health care institution with the primary function of retail sale of medicines, medical products and other goods, as well as the compounding pharmaceutical products according to doctors' prescriptions. The main task of the pharmacy is to provide the population with quality pharmaceutical care in a timely manner in accordance with the requirements of current legislation and international standards. The purpose of the work was to study and compare the features of the functioning of pharmacies in the EEA countries and Ukraine. The methods of comparative and systemic analysis and the problem-oriented method have been used. The functioning of pharmacies in Ukraine and the countries of EEA has a number of differences despite many common features. A significant share of pharmacies are municipally owned establishments in some countries of the EEA, and there are also hospital pharmacies with the mandatory activity of compounding medicines. The number of pharmacies owned by territorial communities in Ukraine is quite small. Ukraine is also witnessing a catastrophic decline in extemporaneous compounding. There is state regulation of geographic and/or demographic criteria for the location of pharmacies in most countries of the EEA. There are no such restrictions in Ukraine. There is also a requirement for the owners of pharmacies in the vast majority of EEA countries, Ukraine does not make such demands. These restrictions prevent the monopolization of the pharmaceutical market and maintain a favorable competitive environment. There are social programs that contribute to improving access to pharmaceutical aid for the population both in the EEA countries and in Ukraine. The practice of using electronic prescriptions has become widespread in Ukraine and the EEA countries, but the process of implementing takes place in different ways. Taking into account the chosen European vector of the development of the Ukrainian economy, we consider it expedient to implement the experience of the operation of pharmacies in the countries of the European Economic Area regarding the development of the municipal owed pharmacies, to regulate the requirements for the location of pharmacies in order to improve the competitive environment for conducting activities, to promote the effective distribution of pharmacies in cities and rural areas.