Tagged with Pharmacies

Switzerland Switzerland’s healthcare system is at a crossroads. Although still one of the world’s bastions of biopharmaceutical innovation, the country’s domestic healthcare environment is under increasing pressure from rising costs, mounting drug shortages, and a regulatory environment that is slow to adapt. What role could pharmacies and the off-patent industry play…

Switzerland Martine Ruggli discusses the evolving role of pharmacists in Switzerland’s healthcare system, addressing challenges and opportunities in digitalization, drug shortages, and regulatory reforms, as well as the need to leverage pharmacists’ expertise more broadly.   Investing in and empowering pharmacists is essential for improving the quality, accessibility, and efficiency of…

Portugal The Portuguese Association of Hospital Pharmacists (APFH) is dedicated to the education and training of over 1000 hospital pharmacists; essential members of the multidisciplinary teams needed to tackle serious illnesses in the hospital setting. APFH President Patricia Cavaco outlines how her organisation attempts to elevate the role of hospital pharmacists…

Belgium Once primarily associated with dispensing medications alone, many pharmacies have now evolved into dynamic healthcare hubs, offering a diverse range of services that extend far beyond traditional prescription filling. Similarly, pharmacists have emerged as crucial members of the healthcare team, playing integral roles in patient care, medication management, and promoting…

Puerto Rico Going into a pharmacy has never been more convenient in the United States and its territories. People living near urban centres need not travel far to find a 24 hour-supermarket-style pharmacy. It is not only about acquiring medication, but about offering everything customers might need, from cheddar cheese to XL…

Opinion Meghann Chilcott, chief technology/marketing officer at Benzer Pharmacy provides insights for expanding point-of-care (POC) testing services in the US retail environment, and opportunities for improving patient outcomes and customer satisfaction in the process.   POC testing makes it possible for patients to receive the treatment or the advice they need…

Spain Luis Maria de Palacio Guerrero, president of the Federacion Empresarial de Farmaceuticos Españoles (FEFE) lifts the lid on plans to reunite the regional affiliates under the national FEFE umbrella. He also discusses the impact of independent pharmacies in Spain and the future challenges for such a system, in particular, the…

Algeria Farid Benhamdine discusses the changing role of the hospital pharmacist, and the potential for a new pharmaceutical agency in Algeria. He reveals the issues this is required to solve, and the benefits he sees this bringing to the system.   The role of the pharmacist in a healthcare ecosystem is…

Malaysia Amrahi Buang, president of the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society details the ‘lack’ of recognition and integration of pharmacists in Malaysia. He also explains the complex dual healthcare system and the governmental reforms needed to improve it. You took position as president of the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society in May 2016. Can you…

Spain Jesus Aguilar Santamaria, president of the General Pharmaceutical Council of Spain (CGCOF) discusses the role of the council in the Spanish healthcare system, in addition to exploring the benefits of the recent digital changes to the sector and how these changes drive the Council to continue the improvement of the…

Bulgaria Prof. Ilko Getov, PhD, MSc Pharm, MHM, president of the Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Union (BPhU) provides a fascinating insight into the changes sweeping across the pharmaceutical industry in Bulgaria and reveals the country’s determination to modernize its offerings in line with the highest in Europe. Could you please introduce yourself to…

Austria Christina Nageler, managing director of the Austrian Self Care Association (IGEPHA), the representative voice of the Austrian OTC community, provides an insight into the obstacles associated with the sale of OTC products and the change required in the Austrian mentality towards self-care. Furthermore, she highlights how an effective OTC system…