As pharmacist in an own community pharmacy in Germany since thirty years I could observe the change in our scenery over some decades, but since the last ten years, e-commerce and politics have accelerated this process definitively.
The pharmacies not only in my home country are regulated and controlled more than all the other members in retail sector by rules of work and laws. They have scarcely any possibilities of creativity or to difference from another.
The structures are unmodified since decades, but from 2004 new laws and orders introduce a total change in health service, especially in the pharmacies. The foundations stagger if we have to agree all terms of politics. Nobody knows today the development of our trade branch and my profession, but fundamental changes and tendencies are apparent.
Last but not least the trade with drugs in internet and the Doc Morris mail order pharmacies make waves in an old trade guild, many fear the end of the pharmaceutical profession. Trade with drugs in internet is momentary still 2%, but the young generation has no fear of falsification and prefers to sell or buy from home, because it is comfortable, anonymous and supposed cheaper.
My studies shall point up the reasons of change made by politics, but also by a new understanding of social structures and business. I will try to analyse the consequences as a result of these mentioned reasons and will take a look in the systems of other countries.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- History of pharmacies
- Basic principles in the branch of German pharmacies
- regulative framework
- political dimensions
- health care market
- sales trend
- structure of pharmacies
- job market in pharmacies
- value Added Tax in the EU
- discount contracts
- Trends and tendencies of change in pharmacies
- mail order business with drugs
- 0800 DocMorris.com
- Mycare.de and other domestic pendants
- Differences between traditional and discount pharmacies
- Foresight
- Review in other national systems
- Urban clustering and accessibility concerns for rural areas
- Be Aware of false expectations
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This study aims to analyze the significant changes occurring in the German pharmacy landscape, particularly focusing on the impact of e-commerce and political regulations. It examines the consequences of these changes on the profession, business models, and the overall healthcare system.
- The impact of e-commerce on traditional pharmacies.
- The influence of political regulations and healthcare policies on the pharmacy industry.
- The changing role of pharmacists in the healthcare system.
- Comparison of the German pharmacy system with those of other countries.
- Analysis of trends and future prospects for pharmacies.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The Introduction sets the context by describing the author's observations of changes within the pharmacy sector over the past three decades. The History of Pharmacies section traces the evolution of pharmacies from their origins to their current state, highlighting key historical events and shifts in their roles. The Basic Principles section details the regulatory framework and socio-political context governing German pharmacies, covering areas such as work regulations, the healthcare market, sales trends, and the job market. The section on Trends and Tendencies explores the rise of mail-order pharmacies, comparing traditional and discount models and offering insights into future predictions. Finally, a review of other national systems provides a comparative perspective.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
E-commerce, political regulation, healthcare policy, German pharmacies, mail-order pharmacies, discount pharmacies, pharmaceutical industry, healthcare market, professional role of pharmacists, European Union, competition, regulatory framework.
- Quote paper
- Heinrich Struck (Author), 2008, Change of scenery in pharmacies by politics and e-commerce, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/120200
