The Pharmacists' and Patients' Side of Policy Measures in Pharmaceutical Markets: The Effects of Changing Pharmacy Margins

• Main Authors: PP Barros (Author), BD Martins (Author), AC Moura (Author), I Teixeira (Author), S Costa (Author), S Queirós (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Formifarma, LDA., 2019-12-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1647-354X; 2183-7341
• Keywords: Therapeutics. Pharmacology; RM1-950
• Source: Revista Portuguesa de Farmacoterapia, Vol 11, Iss Sup 1 (2019)

Background Revisions were made to the pharmaceutical policy in Portugal, aimed at decreasing prices and contributing to lower expenditure. A new margin system was introduced, in 2012, for pharmacies and wholesalers. Aims To assess: costs associated to dispensing and other services; the proportion of purchased medicines on total prescribed; the perception of pharmacists and patients regarding changes in access and other issues. Methods Four cross-sectional studies were administered in June 2012: Patient survey; Pharmacy Owner survey; survey following each prescription sale (one day census); survey about pharmacy services not associated to the dispensing of medicines (5-day census). Results 12% patients reported difficulties in filling their prescription "almost always". Other results demonstrate: >97% prescribed medicines were dispensed; no. of operating hours per week increased; the proportion of pharmacies with ≥90 day late payment to suppliers increased; 92% reported difficulties in obtaining medicines in wholesalers "almost every day". All geographical regions are affected. The mean weighed cost of pharmacy services (excl. dispensing of medicines) per hour is €20.69 and the mean volume of pharmacy services provided outside dispensing per pharmacy per day is 8.6 vs 84.6 dispensing services. Conclusions The difficulties reported had not yet generated relevant access issues at the time of this study, but existing negative margins per prescription will lead to access problems. The economic model for pharmacies should generate a more efficient distribution of medicines while securing both the economic sustainability of pharmacies and the impact on patients. Published in: Value Health. 2012; 15:A322.