Document Detail


Distribution of pharmaceuticals--a Norwegian logistic perspective.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  11028265     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
There is a general concern about rising costs of pharmaceutical expenses. One political measure is a more efficient distribution system, which can take the form of new channels for retailing. In Norway mail-order pharmacy (MOP) has been brought to the agenda due to the recently proposed law regulating pharmacies ("Apoteklov"), market developments abroad, demand for self-medication, the increase in OTC-products and advances in information technology. Mail-order pharmacy involves direct delivery of medications through postal mail to patients or those responsible for dispensing medication. With reference to the USA, mail-order pharmacy has filled a niche in the market and several other countries are following. We are convinced that it is possible to maintain a high level of service quality in the sense of safety, counselling and compliance, and that there is a potential to develop a model for this distribution form in Norway. We believe that the actors in the Norwegian pharmaceutical market are better served in taking a more active role in this area and where possible initiating pilot projects in mail-order distribution. The pharmacists will continue to play an important role as a retail outlet and should, with their influence over patients, their knowledge and experience, contribute towards developing MOP to be a safe and complementary sales outlet. Developing such a solution demands the right balance between performance and quality on the one hand and efficiency on the other; two criteria, which we believe, do not contradict each other.
Authors:
J Grund; T E Vartdal
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Pharmacy world & science : PWS     Volume:  22     ISSN:  0928-1231     ISO Abbreviation:  Pharm World Sci     Publication Date:  2000 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2001-02-09     Completed Date:  2001-02-15     Revised Date:  2004-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9307352     Medline TA:  Pharm World Sci     Country:  NETHERLANDS    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  109-15     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Norwegian School of Management, Sandvika, Norway.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Humans
Information Systems
Internet
Legislation, Drug
Logistic Models
Norway
Pharmaceutical Preparations / supply & distribution*
Pharmacists
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Pharmaceutical Preparations

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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