Reader’s Opinion | The government’s savings threaten pharmacy operations

Association of Pharmacists according to the government’s pharmacy cuts, would bankrupt pharmacies (HS 20.5.). The Finnish Association of Pharmacists is also concerned about the financial operating conditions of pharmacies. We consider the savings planned by the government to be a serious threat to the pharmacy operations valued by customers.

As a result of the savings aimed at pharmacies, the pharmacist would inevitably have to balance the finances of his company. The pharmacist cannot raise the prices of medicines, as the prices of prescription medicines and the maximum prices of over-the-counter medicines are determined by the state medicine tax, not the pharmacist. The only adequate and possible object of adjustment is personnel costs. On the other hand, the Medicines Act obliges the pharmacist to maintain sufficient pharmaceutical staff. The equation is difficult and the threat of bankruptcy is real.

Petteri Orpon The (kok) government has promised to reform pharmacy regulation in a responsible manner, securing high-quality and safe pharmacy services throughout Finland. The savings would reduce the pharmacist’s ability to maintain competent staff who solve the problems of drug treatment and ensure the safety of drug treatments.

One of the cornerstones of pharmaceutical know-how is controlling drug costs. With savings aimed at pharmacies, the government would jeopardize the ability of pharmacies to produce health benefits and contain healthcare costs. Pharmacy staff would pay for the government’s savings with their own jobs.

Henna Overcloth

chairman

Teemu Ali-Kovero

executive director

Finnish Association of Pharmacists

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