Changes in the Ownership of Community Pharmacies: Policy Implications

Abstract

Based on an ‘independent contractor’ model, most community pharmacies have traditionally been owned by self-employed pharmacists running them as small businesses. With the rapid erosion of this pattern of ownership, issues arise for public, professional and commercial policy makers. For health policy purposes, particular consideration needs to be given to options for fully utilizing the expertise of community pharmacists; securing equal access to services; and ensuring rationality and transparency in making decisions about the location of pharmacies.