The Republic of Poland is the largest country in Eastern Europe in population as well as in area. Since its entry to the European Union, Poland is one of the most attractive destinations for foreign investments. The seminar paper at hand focuses on the situation of the infrastructure in Poland with an emphasis on the current privatisation process. Right from the beginning of the transformation process, Polish politicians claimed to not only reform the economical system but also the social security system.
However, it took some ten years to implement the first reform in the health care sector. Nonetheless, the new system suffers from efficiency problems resulting in a financial crisis. The development of the health care sector starting from the implementation of the General Health Insurance Act in 1999 will be examined further.
One branch of the health care sector is the pharmacy market. The pharmaceutical segment is described as one of the most successful sectors for Poland in the future. The value-added chain, beginning from the manufacture to the point of the end customer was analysed with a certain focus on the legal regulations. Although free trade of goods and services within the boarders of the European Union is one of the member states’ principles, pharmaceutical products are subject to a severe surveillance. The Polish government has introduced many rules and regulations to ensure a safe trade with Pharmaceuticals.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Poland's Strategy to attract Foreign Direct Investments in Selected Industries
- Infrastructure Policy
- Impact of Infrastructure Investments for Sustained Economic Growth
- Basic Principles of Infrastructure Policy
- Extension of the Classical Definition: Information Technology
- Economical Relevance of Infrastructure
- Specific Policies for Poland: Privatisation of Infrastructure
- Impact of Infrastructure Investments for Sustained Economic Growth
- Health Care System in Poland
- Health Care Policy in Respect with the Process of Transformation
- Organisational Structure of the Health Care System in Poland
- Health Insurance System
- Health Care Finance and Expenditures
- The State Budget
- the National Health Fund
- Payments by External Institutions
- Co-Payments by Patients
- Financial Crisis of the Health Care Sector
- The Pharmacy Sector
- Distribution of Pharmaceutical Products
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
- Pharmaceutical Wholesalers
- Pharmacies
- Community and Hospital Pharmacies
- Polish Pharmacy Association and its Membership of PGEU
- Regulations in the Pharmacy Sector
- Drug Registration
- Price Control
- Reimbursement
- Emergency- and Night Service
- Mail Order Selling
- Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
- Impact of EU-Entry: " Pharmaceutical Tourism"
- Distribution of Pharmaceutical Products
- Interrelation between Infrastructure, the Health Care System and the Pharmacy Market - A Summary
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This seminar paper focuses on the situation of infrastructure in Poland with a particular emphasis on the ongoing privatisation process. The paper also examines the development of the healthcare sector, specifically the pharmacy market, since the implementation of the General Health Insurance Act in 1999.
- The impact of infrastructure investments on sustained economic growth
- The privatisation of infrastructure in Poland, specifically the motorway sector
- The development and challenges of the Polish healthcare system, including the financial crisis
- The pharmacy market in Poland, including its value chain and regulatory framework
- The impact of European Union entry on the Polish pharmacy market, particularly "pharmaceutical tourism"
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Chapter 1 introduces Poland's strategy for attracting foreign direct investment in specific industries. Chapter 2 delves into the infrastructure policy of Poland, focusing on the impact of infrastructure investments on sustained economic growth, as well as exploring the country's specific policies regarding the privatization of infrastructure. Chapter 3 examines the Polish healthcare system, outlining its evolution since the implementation of the General Health Insurance Act in 1999. Chapter 4 focuses on the pharmacy sector in Poland, exploring its structure, regulations, and the impact of EU entry on the market.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key terms and concepts covered in the paper include infrastructure, privatization, healthcare system, pharmacy market, pharmaceutical products, regulations, EU entry, and pharmaceutical tourism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the focus of the infrastructure policy in Poland?
The policy focuses on privatization, particularly in the motorway sector, to attract foreign direct investment and sustain economic growth through improved information technology and transport links.
How has the Polish healthcare system evolved since 1999?
Following the General Health Insurance Act of 1999, Poland moved toward a system financed by the National Health Fund and the state budget, though it has faced ongoing efficiency problems and financial crises.
What are the main components of the Polish pharmacy market?
The market includes pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers, and both community and hospital pharmacies, forming a complex value-added chain under strict government surveillance.
What is "pharmaceutical tourism" in the context of Poland?
It refers to the impact of Poland joining the European Union, where differences in drug prices and regulations across borders led to increased cross-border trade and consumer movement for medicines.
How are pharmaceutical prices controlled in Poland?
The Polish government implements regulations regarding drug registration, price control, and reimbursement to ensure safe trade and manage healthcare expenditures.
What are the primary challenges for the National Health Fund (NFZ)?
The main challenges include managing a persistent financial crisis in the healthcare sector, balancing the state budget, and coordinating co-payments by patients.
- Quote paper
- Christiane Zügner (Author), 2005, Infrastructure as a basis for doing business - The health care system in Poland with a focus on its pharmacy market, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/77079
