Finnland-Forum

Pharmacies Could Face More Competition in the Future
Published 06.02.2007, 08.59 (updated 06.02.2007, 10.59)

The Finnish Competition Authority is considering less rigid regulations and more competition among pharmacies, according to YLE TV News. Some fear however that more competition in the industry could lead to poorer services in sparsely populated areas.

So far competition in the industry has been quite rigid, mainly because some fear consumers will be drawn to densely populated areas to buy cheaper medicines, leading to the closure of pharmacies in more rural areas.

Martti Virtanen (der Mann ist absolut Spitze! ) :thumbsu: ), the director of the Finnish Competition Authority, told YLE News the argument should be seriously considered.

"But it is our contention that we can make sure that the supply of pharmaceutical products takes place all over the country," he added.

The Competition Authority also believes that freer competition will lower the prices of drugs. This has already been seen with nicotine replacement therapies. Their prices dropped in pharmacies when they began to be sold elsewhere as well.

The Competition Authority has also looked at other European models where cutting down on regulations has not been detrimental to the quality of pharmaceutical services.

Other plans to change the system are also in the works. A working group dealing with pharmaceutical services at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health says it wants to abolish the pharmacy fee, which supports pharmacies in remote areas, but drives up prices.

Meanwhile the Finnish Competition Authority wants changes, but is moving cautiously.

"We believe that a less regulated system could probably do better, but we would need to investigate this question seriously, extensively, and without any biases," Virtanen said.