Perspektivy provozování nezávislých lékáren v konkurenci řetězců a e-lékáren

Abstract

The pharmaceutical distribution system in Europe is undergoing a long-term change. Wholesale companies join together to form both horizontally and vertically integrated structures. Pharmacies, formerly owned almost exclusively by pharmacists, are becoming part of the chain thanks to the liberalization of operating conditions. The chains are expanding successfully due to economies of scale and purchasing power for negotiation with suppliers. Independent pharmacies are becoming part of virtual chains to better compete with chains. The assortment previously reserved to pharmacies is also marketed in food stores or gas stations due to legislative changes. E-pharmacies and e-shops compete in the area of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals and the complementary range of pharmacies. The Czech state has been quite successful in addressing its sub-optimal position and maintaining the balance on the pharmaceutical market so that pharmaceutical costs do not increase uncontrollably and at the same time to avoid dropouts due to arbitration or stopping imports due to low prices. The wholesale segment operates reliably in an oligopolistic market structure with an average margin of less than three per cent. The main Czech pharmacy chains achieve a higher than usual profit. The state should start organizing electronic auctions for selected groups of medicines, to strengthen competition on the supply side. The share of EU chain pharmacies is 10.4% of the total number of public pharmacies. The legislative framework does not allow the formation of pharmacy chains in eight EU countries. Chains integrate more than 50% of community pharmacies in six EU countries. We expect the continuing concentration of pharmacy chains should not bring about a reduction in the pharmacy margin and thus reduce the income of independent pharmacies. The Canvas model can serve as a map of possible extensions to existing activities or the creation of a new business model. An independent pharmacy can leverage its customers' knowledge and offer marketing solutions to solve the problems that burden their patients most. The number of pharmacies is stable and the market for medicinal products is growing slightly. The comparative analysis of a sample of ten pharmacies confirms that seven companies have achieved very good financial results. Cost reductions can help to achieve a positive business outcome for the other two. Only one of the pharmacies is over-indebted and threatened by insolvency. We did not find any significant negative changes in selected accounting items in the reporting period. The future perspectives for operating independent pharmacies seem to be positive based on analytical results and expected changes in the near future