Regulatory Framework of Pharmacy Markets in CEE

This research article examines the regulatory landscape of pharmacy markets across selected countries in the Central Eastern Europe (CEE) region. It outlines the contrasting approaches to pharmacy regulation, where some countries, like Romania and Slovakia, have liberalized their regulations, while others, such as Poland and Hungary, have imposed stricter controls. The paper presents a comparative analysis of the regulatory frameworks in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Slovakia. It documents the impact of these regulations on the development of new pharmacy services, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has prompted pharmacies to adapt by offering additional patient care services. The methodology includes desk research and qualitative surveys conducted among pharmacy chain representatives, focusing on legal restrictions, new service offerings, and marketing regulations. The findings suggest that less restrictive regulations facilitate the integration of new services into healthcare systems, highlighting the importance of regulatory environments in shaping pharmacy market dynamics.