Are chains part of the future?

Pharmacy and healthcare are an ever evolving field influenced by the development of society, medicine, law and business. Lately I have been reading about changes and developments in pharmacy ownership.

Earlier in Germany, ownership was determined by 3 different routes:

"Privileg"-
A land owner or a commune/ parish could award a pharmacy to a pharmacist who could later choose to sell it or pass it on in an inheritance.

 "Realkonzession"
The state could grant authority to an individual to own a pharmacy. The owner could later choose their successor and present their replacement to the state.

"Personalkonzession"
The state lends a pharmacy to an individual. The pharmacy could not be sold or inherited further. When the owner decided to leave the pharmacy, it would be returned to the state and the state could then lend it to someone else.

Medications sold only in a pharmacy behind the counter

Today, current laws allow only a pharmacist to receive an operating permit for a pharmacy. The pharmacist may receive a permit for up to 3 additional pharmacies. The intention of this law is to place the responsibility, ownership and liability on the licensed operating pharmacist and prevent corporate enterprises from entering the market. 

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Many believe the independence of the pharmacist and their ownership is imperative for the pharmacy to be able to act, adjust and provide healthcare with the best interests of its patients as a core focus. In return by providing reliable, high quality healthcare the owning pharmacist ensures the longevity and success of their own investment and maintains their pharmacist license.

Health Center

There is political discussion now in Germany reviewing pharmacy ownership laws and what changes would occur if corporations and chains were granted the right to own and operate pharmacies. Some of the key questions are:

Would granting corporations and chains the rights to own pharmacies impact the supply of medications?  How?
Would this shift healthcare focus from patients to shareholders?
Would there be benefits or disadvantages to communities or the public healthcare system? 

Hmmmm, What are your thoughts?

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