Reregulation of the Swedish pharmacy sector—A qualitative content analysis of the political rationale

Wisell, Kristin; Winblad, Ulrika; Sporrong, Sofia Kälvemark

doi:10.1016/j.healthpol.2015.03.009

Cited by 17 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Some form of a pharmacy chain is allowed in 19 EU countries, and vertical integration is implemented in 10 EU countries [14]. Although some European countries maintain the monopoly status of pharmacists as the owners of community pharmacies, there have been examples of the deregulation of the community pharmacy sector towards a more liberal system, for example in Sweden in 2009 [15]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Restrictions to Pharmacy Ownership and Vertical Integration in Estonia—Perception of Different Stakeholders

Gross

Volmer

2016

Pharmacy

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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.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Restrictions to Pharmacy Ownership and Vertical Integration in Estonia—Perception of Different Stakeholders

Gross

Volmer

2016

Pharmacy

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“…The interviews also indicate that activities such as health tests were considered as primarily business activities. This attitude could be an explanation for why most of the initial rationales for the liberalization of the community pharmacy ownership (e.g., accessibility to pharmacies, efficiency, and price pressure) mainly seemed to be inspired by New Public Management (NPM) [12]. NPM is a collection of ideas, but one prominent characteristic is that competition between organizations increases efficiency [23].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The main purpose of the reform was to get more pharmacies and competition, and it was ideologically driven [12]. …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In order to understand in which direction the roles of community pharmacies and pharmacists are developing, it is interesting to investigate the attitudes of influential key stakeholders. This is especially relevant in the view of major policy changes, such as the one in Sweden (see below) which can be interpreted as moving towards a more business-centered model [12]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Raison D’être for the Community Pharmacy and the Community Pharmacist in Sweden: A Qualitative Interview Study

Wisell

Sporrong

2015

Pharmacy

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Community pharmacies are balancing between business (selling medicines and other products) and healthcare (using the pharmacists’ knowledge in order to improve drug utilization). This balance could be affected by regulations decided upon by politicians, but also influenced by others. The aim of this study was to explore important stakeholders’ views on community pharmacy and community pharmacists in Sweden. The method used was that of semi-structured qualitative interviews. Political, professional, and patient organization representatives were interviewed. The results show that informants who are pharmacists or representatives of a professional pharmacist organization generally have a healthcare-centered view on community pharmacy/pharmacists. However, different views on how this orientation should be performed were revealed, ranging from being specialists to dealing with uncomplicated tasks. Political organization representatives generally had a more business-oriented view, where competition in the market was believed to be the main driving force for development. A third dimension in which competition was not stressed also emerged; that community pharmacies should primarily distribute medicines. This dimension was most prevalent among the political and patient organization representatives. One conclusion to be drawn is that no stakeholder seemed to have a clear vision or was willing to take the lead for the development of the community pharmacy sector.

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“…In 2009, the Swedish pharmacy market was reformed and most of the previously state‐owned pharmacies were sold to private owners. This was assumed to lead to increased development of services promoting better drug utilization, and pharmacies competing for customers through different service offers . Pharmacy‐based cognitive services directly or indirectly aiming at improving adherence have been piloted and evaluated .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Competence, competition and collaboration: Perceived challenges among Swedish community pharmacists engaging in pharmaceutical services provision and research

Frisk

Holtendal

Bastholm‐Rahmner

et al. 2019

International Journal of Pharmacy Practice

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Background Creating evidence of effectiveness is an important part of service development. In an ongoing research project Swedish community pharmacists participate in services research by recruiting patients initiated on statins to an adherence‐promoting cognitive pharmaceutical service, jointly run by nurses and pharmacists. Aims To explore the pharmacists’ experiences of providing part of the service and their views regarding future participation in practice research aiming at developing cognitive pharmaceutical services. Methods Focus group interviews were conducted with community pharmacists from pharmacies participating in the project. A semi‐structured interview guide was developed, based on the aim and earlier research. Results The domains identified were the service itself, operative conditions, the pharmacists’ role/profession and stakeholders. The research project was thought to promote the local pharmacy to customers, increase job satisfaction and contribute to service development. However, a perceived lack of competence among pharmacists affected both patient communication and project involvement. Additional resources and strengthened collaboration with other local healthcare were requested. Competition among pharmacy chains was identified as a barrier to patient‐centred service provision and research. Conclusion The current operative conditions in Swedish community pharmacies were perceived by pharmacists as hampering cognitive pharmaceutical services provision and research. Additional resources, improved communication skills and research competence, and increased collaboration with other healthcare and across pharmacy chains are necessary changes. A stronger patient‐centred perspective among all stakeholders is required.

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Reregulation of the Swedish pharmacy sector—A qualitative content analysis of the political rationale

Cited by 17 publications

References 11 publications

Restrictions to Pharmacy Ownership and Vertical Integration in Estonia—Perception of Different Stakeholders

Restrictions to Pharmacy Ownership and Vertical Integration in Estonia—Perception of Different Stakeholders

The Raison D’être for the Community Pharmacy and the Community Pharmacist in Sweden: A Qualitative Interview Study

Competence, competition and collaboration: Perceived challenges among Swedish community pharmacists engaging in pharmaceutical services provision and research

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