An independent non-chain community pharmacies perspective in Lithuania

Abstract

Background and objectives: The traditional model of a pharmacist owning his/her own pharmacy has given way to the chains and multinational operators. It is undeniable that an operator having the status of pharmacist pursues, like other persons, the objective of making a profit. However, as a pharmacist by profession, he is presumed to operate the pharmacy not with a purely economic objective, but also from a professional viewpoint. ‘‘Dual loyalty’’ of pharmacists (to the employer and to the patient) is present in all sectors of pharmacy practice, not just community pharmacies. Community pharmacies are widely used for obtaining medications as well as to get health advice. Pharmacists are the easiest accessible health care professionals who are able to provide consultation on rational medication use and help to prevent serious health problems. Despite of a huge job what pharmacist do as health care system workers, their practice are often valuated as profit seeking activity. In Lithuania, there are 1442 community pharmacies and population of 2.9 million. Lithuania former soviet republic and present EU member, has survived a number of legislation change in field pharmacy ownership. The aim of this study is to evaluate the economic perspectives of independent non-chain pharmacies in Lithuania. Methods: This study was based on an empirical qualitative method. The investigation started in November, 2012 and finished in March, 2013. The participants of the study were 5 selected experts non-chain pharmacies owners who agreed to take part in this study had with experience more than 20 years of ownership and also all of them more than 30 years of professional activity. The selected data collection method was semi-structured interview and which consists of 17 open questions. The questions were about experience in everyday professional activity, pharmacist’s ethics, professional autonomy and practical aspects; st[...].