Health Systems in Transition - Hungary - World Health Organization ...

Health systems in transition Hungary 149
The government that took office in 2010 has returned to the original, ethical
model of corporate responsibility. In June 2010 the licensing of new pharmacies
was suspended and further mergers were banned (2010/9). Moreover, in
December 2010 a new act was passed endorsing the gradual reacquisition
of ownership by pharmacists: Act CLXXIII of 2010 on the Amendment of
Certain Health Care Related Acts brings the operation of pharmacies under the
personal responsibility of pharmacists in order to enable them to contribute to
efficient therapies and prevention programmes and to support healthy lifestyles
(Articles 77 and 83). The minimum share of pharmacists’ ownership in already
functioning pharmacies must now reach 25% by 2014 and 50% by 2017 (Article
84). Actors in the pharmaceutical supply chain are not allowed to own newly
established pharmacies, and mergers are banned for chains that consist of more
than four pharmacies (Article 84). As for the pharmacies already owned by
wholesalers, the shares must be adapted to the stipulated limits, but currently
operating pharmacy chains may be maintained. As of May 2011, no offshore
company will be allowed to hold shares in pharmacies (Article 87).
The demographic and geographical criteria for establishing new pharmacies
have also been changed. A community pharmacy can only be established
based on national tenders. In the case of municipalities with less than 50 000
inhabitants, the minimum demographic criterion is 4500 persons per pharmacy
(including the new one) and the minimal geographical distance between
pharmacies is set at 300 metres. In the case of bigger towns, the numbers
are 4000 persons and 250 metres. The restrictions do not apply if the given
municipality has no established pharmacy (Article 69). During the evaluation
of tenders, priority is given to pharmacies that intend to provide additional
services, such as longer opening hours, out-of-hours services, running a branch
pharmacy or providing home delivery (Article 68). These changes aim to ensure
that new pharmacies meet local needs and contribute additional services. The
new provisions also regulate pharmacies’ promotional activities, prohibiting
such activities for reimbursed medicines and restricting them to the provision
of health care services in the case of non-reimbursed drugs (Article 59).
In 2009 a total of 5301 pharmacists and 7536 pharmaceutical assistants
worked in community pharmacies, whereas another 430 pharmacists and 790
assistants worked in hospital pharmacies (HCSO, 2010f). According to the
concept of pharmaceutical care introduced in 2009 (2008/9), pharmacists are
expected to provide health information and prevention activities, supervise
and monitor drug treatment, work to minimize side effects and avoid harmful