The development of internet platforms should not lead to the weakening of independent pharmacies

Criticizing the possibility of imposing disproportionate commissions by some internet platforms, the head of the Iranian Pharmacists Association called for clear criteria for the activities of these businesses and warned that the development of digital services should not undermine the economic and professional independence of private pharmacies.

According to Ambassador Arjan, quoting Ambassador Arjan, the head of the Iranian Pharmacists Association, with the title of this article that we are not against technology, at the same time he said: We will not allow the independence of pharmacies to be under the shadow of platforms.

In the 26th seminar of Iran's pharmaceutical students, Shahram Kalantari Dasani, emphasizing the necessity of organizing the activity of internet platforms in the field of health, stated: We are not against technology and digital transformation, but the development of online services should not lead to the weakening of independent pharmacies, imposing unusual costs and threatening the professional independence of pharmacists.

Referring to the challenges of expanding the activities of internet platforms in the field of medicine, he added: the principle of using new technologies and responding to the new needs of the people can be defended, but every development and innovation can help improve the health system when it is based on professional principles, legal criteria and correct implementation mechanisms.

Stating that the main issue is the way of operation and the economic model of some platforms, Kalantari added: You cannot create a mechanism under the pretext of developing internet services in which pharmacies are forced to pay commissions that do not match the economic capacity and real profit of their activities. Receiving high percentages of prescription amounts can put significant economic pressure on pharmacies and challenge their continued independent activity.

The head of the Iranian Pharmacists Association stated: the pharmacy is not a purely commercial unit, but a part of the health service delivery chain, and its activity must be coordinated with professional considerations, specialized responsibilities, and the requirements of the health system. Therefore, economic relations between pharmacies and platforms should also be defined in a transparent, fair and monitorable framework.

Referring to the follow-ups of the Iranian Pharmacists Association in the field of organizing the activities of Internet platforms, Kalantari said: The Iranian Pharmacists Association has followed this issue in the past years with the cooperation and interaction with the Food and Drug Organization. Because we believe that the development of digital services should be accompanied by proper regulation and all aspects of this activity cannot be left to commercial agreements between companies and pharmacies.

He continued: The ideal model is for people to be able to benefit from new services and technological facilities, but communication and economic interactions in this area should be done through a smart, transparent and supervised infrastructure. An infrastructure that specifies the limits of authority, responsibilities and rights of each party.

The head of the Iranian Pharmacists Association emphasized the necessity of drafting clear contracts and determining specific criteria for providing services, adding: standard contracts, clear service level indicators and a tariff system appropriate to the services provided can prevent the formation of unbalanced relationships and receiving amounts outside the framework.

He pointed out: The principle should be that each collection has the right to receive a tariff for the service it provides, according to the relevant regulations; Not that the economic position or the power of the platform becomes a tool to impose unusual conditions on the pharmacy.

In another part of his speech, Kalantari considered preserving the independence of private pharmacies as one of the priorities of the Iranian Pharmacists Association and said: economic empowerment of pharmacies is necessary, but this empowerment should not come at the cost of losing the professional and managerial independence of pharmacists.

Referring to different models of pharmacy in the countries of the world, he said: models such as chain pharmacies and franchise contracts should be carefully examined and suited to the conditions of the country. Before moving towards these models, it is necessary to accurately evaluate their economic, professional and legal effects on the future of pharmaceuticals in Iran.

The head of the Iranian Pharmacists Association continued: We must be careful that in the course of reforming the economic structure and developing new businesses, the ground for the concentration of ownership and economic power in the hands of large companies and holdings is not provided. Because such a trend can lead to the weakening of independent pharmacies and the transformation of pharmacists into employees of large economic groups.

He emphasized: the independence of the pharmacy does not mean only the ownership of a trade unit, but it is directly related to the professional independence of the pharmacist, professional responsibility and the possibility of independent decision-making in the provision of pharmaceutical services. Therefore, any change in the pharmacy model should be done considering these dimensions.

Referring to the necessity of designing local models for the economic development of pharmacies, Kalantari said: We need transformation, innovation and the use of technological capacities, but we cannot implement the models of other countries in the country without examining the consequences. A model should be designed that, while strengthening the economic power of pharmacies, also guarantees the professional independence of pharmacists.

Referring to the existing regulations in the field of establishment and management of pharmacies, he added: Any change in the structure of ownership and management of pharmacies must be done in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations and carefully examine its effects on the health system so that the path is not paved for weakening the position of independent pharmacists.

In the end, Kalantari emphasized: the position of the head of the Iranian Pharmacists Association is not against technology or preventing progress; Rather, it is the defense of doing the right thing in the right way. The development of platforms, the economic empowerment of pharmacies, and the promotion of pharmaceutical services should proceed in such a way that the interests of the people, the health of the pharmaceutical profession, and the independence of private pharmacies are not sacrificed to commercial interests.

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